Colombian avocado producer improves efficiency and reduces waste with ImpacTrack

Aiming to improve efficiency, reduce waste and achieve the highest quality product, Colombian avocado producer, Agrícola Ocoa, used an advanced electronic data logger to find out sources of damage in its production chain and significantly reduced losses due to damage and bruising.  

In 2018, avocado consumption in Europe grew by 25%, and import volumes exceeded 600 million tons, as informed by the Netherlands-based Center for the Promotion of Imports. 

The increasing popularity of the fruit has put stress on the whole supply chain, emphasising the need for special attention to warehousing and transportation. 

Matthew Woodcock, director at LLamasoft, supply chain software development company, said consumers are very particular about the avocados they purchase: "They can’t be too hard or too soft, they must be just right". 

According to David Restrepo, Assistant Director of Agrícola Ocoa, improving the post-harvest process is an important factor in his company’s response to the industry’s demands. They want to ensure that avocados reach their customers in the best possible condition, and with minimal waste. The ImpacTrack, manufactured by UK-based Martin Lishman Ltd, was the right choice to determine the areas of potential damage.

ImpacTrack is a shock-sensing data logger housed in synthetic carrier shells that mimic the densities and shapes of different varieties of fruit and veg. Shock and temperature sensors inside the ‘Electronic Avocado’ track the movements of fruit through the different production stages, determining areas that could provoke damage through high impacts or sudden temperature changes, and prompting immediate remedial action to equipment or processes.

Mimicking the shape and size of the fruit is a key design feature for accurate data monitoring of machinery, explains Dr Gavin Lishman, Managing Director of Martin Lishman Ltd.

According to Restrepo, the impact sensors enable it to see exactly where the stress points are. The temperature values are also useful as the avocados are sensitive to temperature changes. 

Linking ImpacTrack to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth can provide a user with data in real time to immediately detect potential sources of damage in processing lines. Built-in memory also enables the logger to record shocks and temperature changes independently, perfect for discreet logging of transport shipments. 

Agrícola Ocoa acquired 3 different ImpacTrack Avocado carrier shells to cater for their varieties. Results from their tests showed significant impacts which coincided with events along the processing chain such as harvesting, loading and unloading. Gavin Lishman added that they have seen similar results from other UK companies, revealing production areas that don’t look visibly damaging until tested with ImpacTrack.

Restrepo concluded that by utilizing the ImpacTrack they improved the quality of their avocados. They were able to see the areas of production that needed attention and have made adjustments to help reduce impacts.

Martin Lishman Ltd have closely worked with producers around the world to use their research and real-world testing to fine tune the design and range of more than twenty five ImpacTrack shapes, which now includes pear, clementine, kiwi, garlic and a range of apple sizes and shapes. 

Gavin Lishman added that their team can reproduce almost any shape at the certain weight and density to ensure it is as close to the real thing as possible. 

To find out more about Martin Lishman’s ImpacTrack visit their website.

For contact: sales@martinlishman.com