How to improve melon shelf life and commercial quality

Melons are among the most appreciated fruits for their flavor and freshness, but also among the most sensitive during the postharvest stage. Preserving key quality attributes such as sweetness, texture, and aroma is a technical challenge throughout the entire supply chain, from transplanting to retail. Additionally, producers must deal with increasing pressure to reduce losses and meet consumer demands for sustainability and visual appeal.

To address these challenges, several technologies make it possible to extend the shelf life of melons without compromising their quality. AgroFresh offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions covering both the production and postharvest phases. These include treatments, cleaning products, environmental control systems, and digital tools that improve yield, traceability, and commercial value.

Improved transplant performance with LandSpring™

LandSpring™ is a preharvest solution designed to support the early stages of melon production. Applied before transplanting, it helps reduce the physiological stress experienced by seedlings when moving to open fields, increasing survival rates and promoting more vigorous growth. As a result, plants flower earlier, show greater disease tolerance, and produce higher and more uniform yields.

By mitigating early-stage stress, this technology allows growers to prevent agronomic issues that may compromise productivity later in the season, while enabling more precise planning and scheduling.

Shelf-life extension with SmartFresh™ and FreshStart™

In the postharvest phase, SmartFresh™ plays a key role in preserving melon quality during storage and transportation. Based on 1-MCP technology, it temporarily blocks ethylene action, slowing down the ripening process without altering the fruit’s properties. It is particularly effective in cantaloupe and honeydew varieties, where it helps maintain aroma, flavor, firmness, and characteristic green coloration even after extended cold storage.

Complementing this, the FreshStart™ range offers biodegradable detergents for cleaning fruit and packing lines. These formulations, available with antifungal and preservative options, are compatible with organic production standards and help maintain high levels of hygiene without compromising product safety or environmental sustainability. Together, SmartFresh™ and FreshStart™ help reduce waste and ensure optimal fruit presentation at destination.

Automation and control with Control-Tec™

Control-Tec™ is a line of postharvest equipment that enables the integration of treatments along the packing line and precise control of storage conditions. Designed for packhouses, research centers, and storage facilities, these solutions support key processes such as degreening, ripening control, and astringency removal (e.g., for persimmons).

The system enhances the efficiency of applying treatments such as detergents, disinfectants, waxes, or fungicides, ensuring even distribution and minimizing waste. Control-Tec™ contributes to operational efficiency, particularly in high-volume environments.

Quality digitization with FreshCloud™ Inspection

Quality control is another crucial aspect of the postharvest process, and FreshCloud™ Inspection offers full digitization. This cloud-based platform captures, organizes, and analyzes quality metrics in real time, providing end-to-end traceability from field to shipment. With standardized reports and integration capabilities, quality managers can make informed, agile decisions.

By reducing rejections, minimizing losses, and improving team coordination, FreshCloud™ Inspection enhances the overall profitability of the melon program and adapts easily to both small producers and large-scale operations.

About AgroFresh

AgroFresh is a global leader in postharvest freshness and quality solutions that extend the shelf life of fresh produce and reduce food loss and waste. With more than 40 years of innovation, AgroFresh addresses fresh produce supply chain challenges from every angle, offering a comprehensive portfolio of integrated solutions for storage, packing lines, and digital operations.

As the pioneer of technologies like SmartFresh™, the first 1-MCP-based ripening inhibitor, and Uvasys, the first laminated SO₂-generating sheets for decay control, AgroFresh empowers growers, packers, and retailers to deliver high-quality, sustainable fresh produce from harvest to home.

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