Saniblues, a new natural post-harvest treatment developed in Spain, is showing promising results in improving the shelf life and quality of blueberries during storage and transport. Designed for use without conventional chemicals, the product uses vegan, food-grade plant extracts and was launched in 2023 after four years of development. It is currently being used on more than 35 million kilos of blueberries in the commercial market.
The treatment is part of a broader portfolio of 11 natural solutions designed for different crops, including citrus fruits and stone fruits. It aims to protect fruit from external damage, reduce dehydration, and maintain quality during transit and marketing. The solution provides an alternative to traditional phytosanitary products, aligning with market demand for reduced chemical usage in fresh produce handling.
Data from the 2024 campaign shows several measurable outcomes. Treated blueberries showed a 50% reduction in rot-related claims, over 15% less dehydration, and a 50% decrease in soft fruit incidents compared to untreated samples. Shelf life and bloom preservation were also extended.
Evaluations covering 70–80 tubs per sample group indicated that treated fruit experienced a 78% reduction in fungal infections upon arrival at destination markets. Out of 100 tubs, untreated control samples had 25 tubs with fungal issues, while treated ones showed only five. Soft fruit levels were reduced by 5.5% in treated batches. Additional assessments found a 35% improvement in overall marketing condition for treated fruit.
The product's adoption has been driven by its compatibility with markets enforcing strict Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and its ability to support long-distance exports. Growers and exporters using the treatment have reported fewer complaints upon arrival, improved consistency in product quality, and access to destinations with restrictive chemical regulations.
As environmental and regulatory pressures increase globally, the use of plant-based post-harvest alternatives may continue to grow as producers look for tools to manage quality and reduce loss without reliance on synthetic inputs.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
