ProcessingProcessing
Repacking Fresh Produce for Read-to-Sell Products in Stores
Providing expert services as a fresh produce professional to replace the backroom processing at retail stores
Most fresh produce sold at retail stores is processed in some way, such as packaged in smaller portions or bundled together. If these tasks were performed individually in each store’s backroom, it would result in significant costs. Mass retailers can lighten their workload and reduce costs through centralized processing by entrusting these operations to Watari.
At Hokkaido Branch, Ebetsu Agricultural Products Center, and Okinawa Branch, we handle everything from processing to dispatching for individual mass retailers or delivery service centers. At Narita Distribution Center, we inspect, repack and ship our products to customers nationwide.
Processing Fresh Produce under Strict Hygiene Control
Processing work in the environment based on the HACCP principles
The demand for pre-cut vegetables and fruit has been growing in recent years. This trend is driven by societal changes such as declining birth rates, the aging population, and the rise of nuclear families and dual-income households. For example, there is a demand for half or quarter cuts of large vegetables like Daikon radish or pumpkins due to the difficulty of consuming them whole. Additionally, there is a growing demand for pre-peeled or pre-cut products that are easy to eat, driven by the need to save time and effort in busy lifestyles.
At Watari, we have established hygienic work environments based on the HACCP principles for our processing operations. The photo shows the process of cutting pumpkins in the processing room at the Narita Distribution Center.
Developing a Variety of Products to Meet Consumer Needs
A product line designed for instant enjoyment with microwave heating
The demand for reducing the hassle of cooking preparation of vegetables has been steadily increasing, leading to a wide variety of pre-cut vegetable products available now on store shelves.
In response to this trend, Watari has developed the processed products such as “Vegetable Stir-fry Set” that only requires adding meat, “Teppanyaki Set” with approximately 20 types of pre-cut vegetables, and “Microwavable Product Series” that can be enjoyed with just a quick microvave heating.
Moving forward, Watari aims to continue actively proposing new processed products that meet evolving consumer needs.
