Multifunctional storage for agricultural products makes growers less dependent on one customer, because it allows them to better respond to market demand. Henk Tebben, storage specialist at Equans Refrigeration, explains why.
What do you understand by multifunctional storage?
"A storage that is suitable for the flexible storage of various crops, such as potatoes, onions, chicory, garlic, sweet potatoes, cabbage and carrots."
Why would you choose that as a grower?
"Supply contracts between arable farmers and buyers are often concluded prior to cultivation. If, as a grower, you want to put your product on the market, the demand for another product may be greater at that time. That puts pressure on earnings. In that case it is important to maintain product quality, so that you can market your product if the price is right.To respond to market demand, it is therefore useful to have flexibility in storage. If there's a demand for red onions, go for it store onions. Are carrots in demand? Then you keep it inside. Turning cabbage for a season or temporarily storing lettuce or summer fruit? That is also possible. In addition, storage seasons never coincide. So you can too store different products at the same time. If you have sold part of your batch, you can refill the cell with another product."
How does Equans ensure flexibility in storage?
"Equans has several storage modules. With two of them dry and store possible in a closed environment. No longer being bothered by too high or cold temperatures and too dry or wet conditions is also a reason for arable farmers to opt for multifunctional storage. If the outside air conditions are still good, you can still use them thanks to a module with hatch control. These modules offer growers flexibility because they can store all kinds of products. They use a different storage recipe for each product, which we fine-tune in the control system. Unlike competitors, we can control incoming and outgoing temperatures down to 0,1°C. And adjust the storage conditions to what the product needs. Products can then be dried and stored without undesirable temperature fluctuations. In this way we imitate the natural drying process of the product and products retain their quality."
What is needed to switch from one storage recipe to another?
"Growers don't have to do much for this. Do the onions go out and the next batch of products enter the storage cell? On the control device they select the recipe that fits the product to be stored. The installation does its job with one push of a button. "
What investment does multifunctional storage require?
"The investment is slightly higher than an investment in a single-purpose storage. But remember, you no longer have climate challenges, it makes you more flexible and you have more opportunities in the market. It also saves you in the long run high energy costs. That's because we unite nature and technology, the highest achievable in the necessary energy transition."
Are entrepreneurs aware of the opportunities offered by flexible storage?
"The new generation of farmers sees that flexibility is needed. They are moving away from 'we've always done it that way'. Continuing like this means standing still and going backwards. Then they will no longer have a healthy business in the future. If equations we are happy to help them innovate and create opportunities, with multifunctional storage."