Food loss and waste are significant issues worldwide, with approximately one-third of the world’s food production lost each year. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 30-40% of total food production is lost before it reaches the market, due to problems ranging from improper use of inputs to lack of proper post-harvest storage, processing, or transportation facilities. These losses can be as high as 40-50 percent for root crops, fruits, and vegetables, 30 percent for cereals and fish, and 20 percent for oilseeds. [1]
Israel often hailed as a “start-up nation,” is recognized around the world for its pioneering advancements in agritech. Despite its arid climate and limited natural resources, Israel has managed to transform its agricultural sector into a model of efficiency and sustainability.
Through innovation, Israeli agritech companies have developed cutting-edge solutions that can address these challenges. According to Alon Turkaspa, Agriculture & Food Tech Sector Lead at Start-Up Nation Central, “Agritech holds the answers to the world’s biggest problems, and Israel’s bustling agritech community is a hotbed of creative solutions. Together, they’re showing us how to crack the code on global challenges in a whole new way.”[2]
Here are some of the Israeli technologies and solutions for Post-Harvest Challenges ranging from treatment and sorting systems for produce, eco-friendly sanitizing solutions, and essential oil-based preservation, to smart packaging designed to extend shelf life, among others.
Eshet Eilon: The company has developed a full range of technological solutions for packinghouses, food companies, and retail chains, which includes advanced sorting and quality control systems. Accurate sorting, according to the external and internal properties of the fruit or vegetable, optimizes product deliveries and reduces waste at the stores and markets.
Savefoods: Save Foods has developed a line of eco-friendly sanitizing solutions for fresh produce. Save Foods’ technology and oxidizers, protect fresh fruit and vegetables from microbial spoilage and foodborne pathogens that are responsible for decay and can cause foodborne illnesses, and help to extend the shelf life of produce. Fresh produce treated with Savefoods solutions can already be found in different supermarket chains across the US and Europe where it was reported that Save Foods treatments are reducing by 50% on average the rotten fruit at the retail level.
TarriTech: TarriTech has developed a unique delivery system, which effectively and repeatedly operates to prevent the decay of fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs. Fresh produce, prior to its storage or transport, is exposed for a short period to a controlled profile of volatile compounds, released by our delivery system from a mixture of several essential oils. The selected essential oils, each with a specific biological activity, when combined, prevent the decay caused by several types of microorganisms. The system is tailored to specific crops and designed to integrate into existing packing house processes.
Bio-Pel: Bio-Pel™ Slow-Release technology combined with certified dedicated essential oils in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth of sprouts, protect from weight loss, and prevent rotting and fungal growth. The technology reduces post-harvest decay losses and extends shelf life for Potatoes, Yam, and sweet potatoes and is applied using Bio-Pel™ unique sachets.
StePac: StePac’s provides fresh-produce packaging and post-harvest handling guidance that enable extended produce shelf life, exemplary esthetics, and eco-positivity.
Ripe-Guard: Ripe-Guard is developing a technology platform for predicting the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The company’s goal is to reduce the massive depreciation and waste that typify the $2.3 trillion fruit and vegetable industry and result in the disposal of up to 45% of all produce grown.
Sufresca: Sufresca develops edible produce coatings to prolong shelf life, reduce food loss and waste, and help create a plastic-free world. The company’s solution facilitates longer storage periods, efficient chilling practices, and optimized storage and handling methods while expanding market opportunities and ultimately benefitting consumers.
These technologies represent just a glimpse into Israel’s agritech sector, which offers innovative solutions to post-harvest challenges and reducing food losses.
To learn more about these Israel agritechnologies, you may reach out to sydney@israeltrade.gov.il
Sources:
https://www.fao.org/in-action/seeking-end-to-loss-and-waste-of-food-along-production-chain/en
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/17/2326363/da-30-percent-crops-wasted-due-poor-logistics
[1] https://www.fao.org/in-action/seeking-end-to-loss-and-waste-of-food-along-production-chain/en/
[2] https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/israeli-agtech-driving-innovation-to-feed-the-world-sustainably/
israeltrade.org.au 