An estimated 14% of produce is lost between harvest and retail, in part due to spoilage from mould and rot.
To help address this global challenge, agtech company Biotalys, which develops protein-based biocontrol solutions for sustainable crop protection, and AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., which provides post-harvest solutions for fresh produce, have announced a collaboration to develop and commercialise sustainable biological fungicides for post-harvest use. Fungicides protect fresh produce after harvest, and this collaboration will expand the industry’s toolbox with environmentally-friendly biological solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of markets around the world.
“Post-harvest freshness solutions are especially critical for high-value and highly perishable crops, where even small losses can result in major food waste and economic impact. As the global leader in post-harvest freshness innovation, AgroFresh is proud to be partnering with Biotalys to develop sustainable biological fungicide solutions,” said Clint Lewis, AgroFresh CEO.
“This collaboration represents an important step forward in expanding our innovation pipeline with novel, sustainable technologies that preserve freshness, reduce waste, and support the success of produce suppliers around the world.”
Fungal decay remains one of the most persistent and complex challenges in the post-harvest supply chain. Once harvested, fresh produce loses its natural defenses and becomes highly susceptible to spoilage caused by fungi. These pathogens thrive in common storage and transit environments and can spread rapidly, making consistent and effective disease management essential. As produce moves through increasingly global and quality-driven supply chains, biological tools that can support freshness and reduce loss are becoming more important than ever.
“The global post-harvest fungicide market is valued at $300m. Our expansion into this critical segment represents an important step for Biotalys and demonstrates the significant potential and versatility of our protein-based AGROBODY platform to help preserve food quality without chemical residues,” said Kevin Helash, Biotalys CEO.
“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the global leader in post-harvest food quality control to bring our biocontrol solutions to this industry segment and make a material difference in this crucial area in the years to come.”
