“Fruit talks, and we listen”: BIG Interview with Aaron Sumption on revolutionizing post-harvest technology

Imagine a world where fresh produce is perfectly optimized to reduce waste, enhance quality, and increase efficiency throughout its journey to consumers. That’s the vision behind the technology Aaron Sumption, Strella Biotech VP of Sales, shares with us. 

Strella Biotech, a U.S.-based startup, specializes in post-harvest technology designed to tackle challenges in the fresh produce supply chain. By using proprietary sensors and machine learning, Strella turns data into actionable insights, helping growers, distributors, and retailers optimize quality and reduce waste. 

Fructidor: Aaron, can you tell us more about Strella’s solution?

Aaron Sumption: Strella is a post-harvest technology company still in the startup phase. We’re focused on specific points in the supply chain. Our proprietary sensors are used in controlled-atmosphere storage rooms, warehouses, and ripening facilities. These sensors collect data on respiration and ethylene production, allowing us to help growers and retailers make informed decisions about when and how to utilize their crops. This results in better quality produce and significantly reduced waste.

We like to say, "Fruit talks, and we listen." Our technology translates what the fruit is “saying” into actionable insights using machine learning. These insights optimize quality and shelf life, which is a game-changer for our clients.

Fructidor: Which markets are you focusing on?

Aaron Sumption: We’re growing rapidly and are currently active in 27 countries. Our strongest markets are the U.S. and Canada, but South America has been a big area of growth for us this year. What’s exciting is that we’re not limited to a specific commodity or region. Whether it’s storing, ripening, monitoring, or sorting, we provide value across the board.

We’ve also begun exploring applications outside of produce, such as floral, though our focus remains on produce for now.

Fructidor: What benefits do your solutions offer to users?

Aaron Sumption: The benefits vary depending on the user. For growers and shippers, we help increase packouts and reduce repacks, which directly impacts their profitability. For example, we helped a major North American grocer cut apple shrink in half last year, saving them millions of dollars. That’s a huge win for us and our clients.

For retailers, it’s about ensuring the fruit reaches consumers at the perfect stage of ripeness, improving sales and customer satisfaction while reducing waste.

Fructidor: What sets Strella apart from other companies?

Aaron Sumption: While there are other companies trying to solve similar problems, none are doing it the way we are. We’re not just a sensor company; we’re about making strategic decisions from the data. Our proprietary sensors focus on ethylene and respiration, combined with environmental conditions, to drive actionable insights across the supply chain.

Some companies might apply coatings to extend shelf life or use other methods, but our approach is unique. We synthesize raw data into decisions that directly impact our clients’ bottom line. That’s what makes us stand out.

Fructidor: Can you share an example of your impact?

Aaron Sumption: For one of our major solutions, we helped a North American retailer cut their apple shrink by 50%, saving millions. It’s not just about reducing waste but also about optimizing the fruit’s maturity to improve sales and quality. With bananas, we’ve automated the ripening process, which saves labor, ensures consistent ripeness, and boosts efficiency. These successes validate our approach and open doors to new opportunities.

Fructidor: Any final thoughts for an international audience?

Aaron Sumption: I’d like to emphasize that we’re here to solve problems. We start by asking clients what they need help with, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether it’s monitoring, ripening, sorting, or storing, we tailor our approach to fit their needs. Our goal is to bring more science into the fresh produce world, making it less of an art and more of a precise, data-driven industry.

Reach out to explore how cutting-edge post-harvest technology can transform your operations! Send your inquiry today.