The Oriental Red kiwifruit from Italy-based Jingold has won the gold prize of the Fruit Logistica Innovation award announced today at the trade fair taking place in Berlin this week.

Trade visitors had two days to cast their votes for the annual prize.

The Jingold team - (L-R) Harry Xu, general manager; Frederico Milanese, international development manager; Madlen Miserius, senior product manager 

Originally from China, the red Dong-Hong kiwifruit not only has unique organoleptic properties but also boasts an excellent shelf life, a release from the trade fair said.

As well as the fiery red color of its flesh, trade visitors also commented on the fruit’s "extremely pleasant, sweet taste". It also has a high sugar content, with 20 to 21 degrees Brix.

“We are very happy to win this important award. It’s been a year of hard work for our team. We invested a lot of energy to develop and improve our product and are glad that people like it so much”, says Federico Milanese, Jingold's international development manager. 

Silver prize was awarded to the Softripe Ripening Technology from German firm Frigotec. Trade visitors were impressed by this natural, energy-saving ripening technology for bananas and other tropical fruit.

The technology helps fruit to reach customers at optimum ripeness, and varying the different ripening levels can also improve fruit quality, the release said.

The bronze prize was won by the top-sealable compostable, recyclable strawberry punnet from CKF in Canada.

Fruit Logistica said that with the wood pulp punnets for 350 to 400 grams of strawberries, the Canadians are setting an example of environmental protection in terms of sustainability

The wood pulp punnet not only provides a great deal of protection for the fruit and a view of the product, but also ensures a longer shelf life, without using plastic. 

Related story: Italy: Jingold gets underway with Oriental Red and organic gold kiwifruit