Frozen fruits and vegetables is a market segment that is proving increasing popular with consumers and retailers worldwide. This popularity is due to their extended shelf life and ability to preserve nutrients. Fresh fruits can lose up to 50% of their nutrients during transportation and packaging, but freezing them on the same day they are harvested significantly reduces these losses by slowing down chemical reactions.
According to the analyst GlobalData, the value of the global frozen fruit and vegetable market is expected to rise from US$35.9 billion in 2023 to an estimated US$48.4 billion by 2028. Long-working hours and busy schedules are driving a move towards convenient, pre-cut frozen vegetables and fruits, as consumers prioritize convenience and health-conscious choices.
JBT’s advanced technologies can improve the quality of frozen fruit & vegetables, preserving taste, texture, and nutrients, and are perfectly suited for vegetables such as peas, cauliflower, broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, beans, mushroom, avocado and corn, and fruits including berries, mango chunks, and other tropical fruits.
They are also ideal for pre-prepared vegetables and potatoes that are packaged and ready for cooking; products which are designed to save time and effort in meal preparation. With JBT solutions, the vegetables stay crisp and fresh during the preparation process, ready to be cooked and enjoyed with highest quality.
The From Field-to-Fork freezing solution
For a complete freezing line solution for vegetables, berries and other delicate products, JBT offers a unique combination of innovations that not only increases throughput but also protects your products from freezing damage. This solution ensures product integrity, quality, and flavor while handling up to 18,000 kg per hour.
The complete processing line covers everything from inspection & grading, through to chopping, blanching and steaming, before finally moving to individual chilling and freezing; all delivering products that preserve their quality and nutrients for the end consumer.
Beginning with inspection and grading solutions, JBT’s range of conveyor and inspection systems – available for every business size – ensure that only the highest quality fruits and vegetables reach the production line. From here, JBT offers precision solutions for cutting, chopping and washing, as well as drying and peeling – all with focus on maintaining quality and retaining the maximum amount of yield by minimizing waste.
The next phase, blanching – using the JBT Urtasun Integral Blancher – is hugely important to preserving quality in vegetables. The Blancher’s advanced steamers effectively deactivate enzymes detrimental to color, flavor and texture, plus help retain vitamins. It additionally softens crunchy veg, like broccoli, making them easier to pack.
The Urtasun Vibratory Belt (pictured above) then combines with the JBT Frigoscandia FLoFREEZE® IQF Freezer to separate and individually quick freeze vegetables, fruits and berries to retain the products’ integrity, form and quality.
The Frigoscandia FLoFREEZE IQF freezer uses pioneering fluidization technology in the field of individual quick freezing and can handle the most delicate high-end products with greatest care.
“We have managed to bring different technologies together from different sectors so we can create a single processing line for individual freezing,” explains JBT’s Director of Sales for the EMEA region, Sergio Rabadan. “Thanks to integration of Urtasun with Frigoscandia and other JBT businesses, we are now able to offer customers complete solutions whereas before customers would have to source certain systems from other providers.”
JBT understands the importance of capturing the freshness, taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional value. We also prioritize locking in peak freshness and nutritional value, so consumers can enjoy the best quality products every time.
READ MORE about JBT’s complete processing line for frozen fruits & vegetables
