An easy-to-drink organic coconut with patented opening and a straw - this is the product that won the 2016 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award (FLIA).
The ceremony took place on Friday 5th February 2016 during the last day of the fair. Professional guests could also cast their vote.
Genuine Coconut is 100% organic coconut water that can be enjoyed directly from the husk thanks to a patented opening system. The fruit is cultivated in the heart of Thailand and harvested when perfectly ripe, as that is the stage when it contains the most water, which is rich in nutrients and minerals. Thai Nam Hom coconuts are considered the best for their quality, flavour and aroma.
Carlos Amoros from the Spanish World's Coconut Trading reported that "we are happy and proud. Thank you Fruit Logistica! This award is a great reward for the three years we spent trying to make the product available on the market."
Above: the Spanish World's Coconut Trading receives the award. Below: the winners.
The Kitchen Minis tomato plant developed by the Danish Northern Greens came in second. It is a small and compact plant that produces up to 150 cherry tomatoes per season and is only 11 cm wide and 35 cm high.
The fruits, which weigh 8-10 grams, are sweet and aromatic so they are perfect for children too.
The Danish Northern Greens won the second prize.
The yellow/red streaked pepper Enjoya developed by Enza Zaden / TNI came in third.
Aromatic and pleasantly hot, this pepper contains a lot of Vitamin C and comes in various sizes. It is perfect for salads and, with the right garnish, it becomes an excellent snack.
The winners of the third price.
Special jury prize to Automato
For the first time, the jury also awarded a special prize, which was assigned to the Belgian Stoffels for its tomato dispenser.
It represents a practical way to buy different types of cherry tomatoes, which are placed directly in a paper bag. Automato is a hygienic and interactive automatic dispenser perfect for younger consumers.
A special jury prize was awarded to the Belgian Stoffels.
The Fruit Logistica Innovation Award (FLIA)
The FLIA is an award assigned to the best innovations in the fruit and vegetable world. A group of experts selects ten significant innovations that were introduced during the course of the previous year.
The nominees are then on display in a special area of the fair and visitors have two days to choose and vote for their favourites. A visitor is then picked to present the prize.
The winning voter.
Among the previous FLIA winners we find "Salanova" lettuce by Rijk Zwaan (2006), the "Vitamini's" vegetable snack by FresQ/Rainbow Group Growers (2007), "Intense" tomatoes by Nunhems, "Sweet Green Pepper" by Enza Zaden (2009), "Arils Removal Tool" (ART) by Mehadrin Tnuport Export (2010), "Limeburst Fingerlimes" from Australia (2011), "Angello" sweet mini peppers by Syngenta Seeds BV (2012), the "City Farming" system by Staay Food Group (Netherlands) in 2013, "BBQ Grill Mix" by the Swiss Eisberg (2014) and "Aurora" seedless papaya by the Israeli Aviv Flowers Packing House Ltd (205).