StePacPCC develops packaging to extend pitaya shelf life

ECUADOR – StePacPCC, a specialist in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for fresh produce, has introduced a new packaging film tailored to extend the shelf life of pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, during long-distance export from Ecuador to key markets in North America and Europe.

The solution adapts the company’s Xtend MA/MH bulk packaging technology to address the specific postharvest challenges associated with pitaya, a high-value tropical fruit prized for its nutritional profile and visual appeal.

Despite growing global demand, pitaya remains difficult to export by sea due to its high respiration rate, sensitivity to moisture loss and susceptibility to microbial decay over transit periods that can exceed three weeks.

According to StePacPCC, the newly developed film is engineered to carefully balance oxygen and carbon dioxide levels while maintaining optimal humidity within the package.

By regulating gas exchange and moisture, the packaging aims to slow respiration, reduce dehydration and limit decay, helping preserve both internal quality and external appearance throughout the supply chain.

A particular focus of the development was maintaining the firmness and vibrant colour of the fruit, including the bracts.

These leaf-like structures are widely regarded by buyers and consumers as a key indicator of freshness but are especially prone to wilting and shrivelling when moisture loss occurs.

The development process spanned more than three years and involved close collaboration with pitaya exporters, as well as refinements to postharvest handling and packing protocols.

StePacPCC said this integrated approach was critical to ensuring the packaging performed consistently under commercial shipping conditions.

Gary Ward, CTO at StePacPCC, said long transit times remain a major barrier for South American pitaya growers targeting distant markets.

“Even under optimal cold chain conditions, the long sea freight from Ecuador to North America and Europe takes its toll on the delicate fruit,” he said.

“Weight loss, shrivelling of the skin and bracts, colour dulling and occasional microbial decay reduce marketability and, most importantly, compromise freshness and quality.”

The new pitaya-specific solution expands StePacPCC’s existing portfolio of MAP technologies already used for tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes and lychees.

The company positions the innovation as part of a broader effort to reduce food loss and support sea freight as a more sustainable alternative to air transport for premium fresh produce.

The launch comes amid wider industry investment in advanced packaging for fresh produce, as exporters face longer supply chains, stricter quality expectations and growing pressure to cut food waste.

Recent developments include increased use of active and intelligent packaging films, as well as trials of recyclable and downgauged materials that balance performance with sustainability goals.

For Ecuador’s pitaya exporters, the new packaging could help unlock more reliable access to high-value overseas markets, supporting growth in a segment where appearance, freshness and shelf life are critical to commercial success.

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