Press release -
Greenfood invests in ultra-modern banana ripening facilities
More even ripening, better quality and less wastage. All these will be the results of utilising Greenfood's ultra-modern banana ripening facility that is currently being built in Helsingborg. 12 banana rooms, each nine meters high, will ripen 33,000 boxes of bananas a week - all so that Greenfood can provide people with healthy options in a much better way.
Sweden has imported bananas since 1909. The first cargo that arrived at the port of Gothenburg was frozen black and inedible, but after a few attempts the importer managed to get the temperature conditions right and banana imports started. Today, the banana is one of the most popular and healthy fruits in the world – climate-smart, tasty and filled with energy and important nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, fibre, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
Greenfood's bananas are transported by boat across the Atlantic and are fully ripened in hermetically sealed rooms where temperature, air flow and oxygen content are carefully monitored. The new facility can control the temperature down to 0.1 degree accuracy. It is equipped with reversing fans that reverse the air flow in the rooms as well. The technology provides a more even ripening and a higher quality banana.
“When it is ready, it will be Sweden's most modern banana ripening facility. It will be at the forefront of energy and environmental efficiency and be packed with the latest technology such as sensors that automatically monitor and manage the banana ripening process. The result is sustainably produced bananas with higher quality and longer shelf life in the chain,” said Ted Stenshed, CEO of the Greenfood Fresh Produce business area.
Bananas are big sellers in the grocery trade and account for approximately one percent of Swedish grocery stores' turnover, and ten percent of turnover in the fruit department. With Greenfood's new facility in Helsingborg, the group will strengthen their offer and deliver perfectly ripe bananas of the absolute highest quality.
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We just love healthy food. Making it tastier. Simpler. Better. And more accessible. Passion is what has made Greenfood one of northern Europe’s leading groups in healthy food, and we have a history that stretches back some 50 years. Greenfood had sales of SEK 5.3 billion in 2019 and has approximately 1,500 employees. The business is broad and with our three business areas we are involved in the entire food chain – from growing, processing and delivery to the moment when consumers put forks in their mouths. Greenfood’s business areas are: Picadeli, Food Solutions and Fresh Produce.
Brands within the Group include: Picadeli – the leading European take-away chain that focuses on healthy fast food; Greendeli – a Scandinavian leader in healthy and tasty food-to-go products; Daily Greens – a challenger supplying fruit and vegetables direct from the farms, and SallaCarte – the time saver that allows chefs to spend more time on being creative in the kitchen by offering a wide range of freshly prepared fruit and vegetables. Find out more at www.greenfood.se
