WEBINAR

From Cooling to Quality: Better Decisions, Industry Insights and Future Trends in Fresh Produce Chain

Date: Thursday, 3 December 2026
Time: 15:00–17:00 CET
Location: Online | Microsoft Teams
Language: English
Participation: Free, registration required


Organiser: Wageningen University & Research, with collaborating industry partners
 

Maintaining product quality throughout the fresh produce chain requires effective cold-chain management, reliable information and informed decisions. At the same time, the sector faces increasing pressure to reduce food losses, improve operational efficiency, adapt to changing refrigerant regulations and adopt more sustainable cooling solutions.
 

How can scientific knowledge and practical tools help companies respond to these challenges?
 

This webinar brings together researchers and industry professionals to exchange insights, showcase decision-support tools and discuss future priorities for innovation in the fresh produce chain.
 

What to expect?
 

I. Expert insights and practical tools

Discover two decision-support approaches: 

- Shelf Life Calculator: A science-based tool to assess how storage and transport conditions affect product quality and remaining shelf life, supporting better handling decisions and reduced losses.

- Refrigerant Transition Decision Tool: An independent tool designed to support companies in evaluating their options for transitioning to alternative refrigerants in response to evolving regulatory and operational requirements.
 

II. Industry perspectives

Hear from our project partners representing the industry, associations and services about their experiences with cold-chain management, including current challenges, practical solutions and emerging trends.
 

III. Interactive panel discussion

Join a moderated exchange between researchers and industry representatives on shared challenges, knowledge gaps and opportunities for future collaboration and innovation.
 

Who should attend?  

This webinar is particularly relevant for growers, traders, exporters, logistics providers, cold-storage operators, quality managers, technology suppliers, industry associations and researchers working with fresh produce and cold-chain management.
 

 

Register now to join the discussion and explore how better decisions can contribute to quality preservation, more efficient cold chains and future innovation.

 

This webinar is organised as part of a Kennis-op-Maat (KoM) project, led by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, with financial support from the Dutch Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA). The project is carried out in collaboration with industry partners from the fresh produce and logistics sectors: HDG Academy, FlowerWatch, GroentenFruit Huis, Fruit Bewaring & Advies (FBA), and the Royal Dutch Association of Refrigeration (KNVvK).