How Xflow Keeps Chilean Cherries Premium on Journey to China

Chilean cherries travel more than 18,000 kilometers and spend over 20 days at sea before reaching China — a true race against time. Along the way, temperature fluctuations, humidity changes and natural respiration continuously threaten fruit quality. Even minor disruptions can lead to deterioration, compromising the premium quality that Chinese consumers have come to expect.

In an exclusive interview with Produce Report, Dr. Gary Ward, chief technology officer at StePacPPC, explained how Xflow technology is transforming this journey — not just by preserving freshness, but also by addressing labor shortages and boosting operational efficiency, reshaping how cherries are packed, transported and delivered to market.

The Technology: Precision-Controlled Modified Atmosphere Packaging

At the core of Xflow lies a series of patented films with varying water vapor transmission rates, combining precision-controlled modified atmosphere packaging with advanced humidity control. Xflow films feature a unique sealing layer that enables seamless integration into automated horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) and vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) processes, facilitating reliable and efficient operation.

Xflow actively regulates the internal atmosphere by balancing oxygen and carbon dioxide levels while maintaining optimal moisture conditions. This controlled environment slows cherry respiration rate, suppresses ethylene activity and directly inhibits microbial growth, effectively placing the fruit in a “dormant” state, slowing aging processes and preserving quality throughout the journey.

This level of precision is the result of decades of expertise in postharvest physiology, packaging engineering and cold-chain logistics, all working together in a single integrated solution.

Performance: Proven Results From Chile to China

The Chile-to-China route represents one of the most demanding real-world tests for any fresh produce packaging solution.

According to Ward, Xflow has consistently demonstrated its performance under these conditions. Even after more than 35 days of sea freight, cherries arrive with a firm texture, a vibrant color and the overall high quality expected in China’s premium market segment.

For exporters, this translates into more reliable arrival quality, lower rejection rates and stronger, more consistent premium positioning. In a market where timing and quality are closely tied to commercial success — especially around peak sales periods — this level of performance provides a critical competitive advantage.

Helping China’s Cherry Industry Thrive Amid Rising Demands

While Xflow has proven its value in long-distance exports, its relevance extends far beyond international trade.

China’s domestic cherry industry, now producing approximately 900,000 metric tons annually, faces its own set of challenges: rising labor costs, increasing competition from imports and growing demand for differentiated, high-quality products.

In this context, Xflow offers two key advantages:

• First, it enhances consistency in quality across distribution — an essential factor for building strong consumer-facing brands in an increasingly competitive market.
• Second, it supports the shift toward automation, helping producers reduce labor dependence while improving operational efficiency.

For both established growing regions such as Liaoning and Shandong and emerging areas like Sichuan and Xinjiang, the technology provides a practical solution to manage longer distribution distances while maintaining premium quality.

Automation as the Next Step for the Cherry Industry

Against this backdrop, automation is emerging as a critical next step for the global cherry industry.

As the sector continues to expand, labor shortages and rising costs are becoming increasingly pressing constraints — both in major exporting countries and within China’s domestic production regions.

Xflow is designed with this challenge in mind. By enabling seamless integration into automated packing lines, it allows producers to significantly reduce their reliance on manual labor while improving consistency and throughput. In large-scale operations, the system has demonstrated labor cost reductions of up to 56%.

Beyond cost savings, automation brings a new level of standardization — ensuring that every package performs consistently across long-distance supply chains, where variability can be costly.

A System Built for the Future of Fresh Produce

As Ward emphasized, the success of modern cherry supply chains depends not only on growing high-quality fruit but also on preserving that quality all the way to the consumer.

With its automation-ready design, precise atmosphere control and proven performance in real-world conditions, Xflow represents a next-generation packaging solution — one that meets the evolving demands of both global exporters and China’s domestic market.

Images: StePacPPC