The Fruit Logistica exhibition is always a reliable barometer of where the fresh produce packaging conversation is heading. This year’s event in Berlin, attended by the Parkside team, was no different.
However, the tone has noticeably shifted from previous years. Rather than blue-sky thinking, brands, packers, and converters are asking the same question in terms of packaging: what can we actually implement, at scale, right now?
Here are five key themes we took away from the show floor, and what they mean for the future of fresh produce packaging.
- Sustainability in its pragmatic era
Sustainability is still the dominant theme at Fruit Logistica and it would be surprising if it weren’t. But this year, the conversation felt noticeably more down-to-earth, with less emphasis on aspirational concepts and more focus on what can realistically be delivered within existing recycling infrastructure.
Mono-material PE structures, recyclability within current waste streams, and downgauging were front and centre. The direction of travel is clearly being shaped by legislation, from the EU’s PPWR to evolving EPR frameworks. It’s clear that the sheer volume of regulatory change is creating real uncertainty across the industry. It’s a challenge seen not just in fresh produce, but across many consumer categories.
This is exactly where our Recoflex™ range comes in. Our paper-based Recoflex materials are designed to help brands cut through sustainability jargon and make future-proof packaging decisions today.
- Waste reduction and shelf life go hand in hand
The conversation around waste reduction was consistent and clear. Shelf life is fundamental, and across the show, there was a strong acknowledgement that sustainability and product protection must work in tandem. After all, the environmental impact of food waste typically far outweighs that of the packaging designed to prevent it.
This reinforces Parkside’s long-held view that despite exciting new areas of innovation, packaging must protect, first and foremost. Our suite of functional technologies is built around this principle.
ParkScribe™ laser scribing enables integral reclose mechanisms that help consumers store produce for longer. Micro perforation offers tailored breathability for fresh fruit and vegetables, while macro perforation supports multipack separation and portioning, reducing the temptation to discard unused portions. Our Popflex® lidding film combines all of this with a fully recyclable monopolymer film structure, proving that functionality and sustainability can sit side by side.
- Premiumisation is alive and well
Premiumisation continues to gain momentum, especially in soft fruit. Across Fruit Logistica, strong print quality and striking visual impacts were everywhere. Brands are still firmly committed to using packaging as a tool for differentiation, and the standard of on-shelf presentation continues to rise.
For producers and packers, this underlines the importance of creating a premium look and feel through high-quality materials and print finishes that elevate the product and capture consumer attention. At Parkside, we’re proud to offer advanced print capabilities, material expertise, and creative support to help our customers deliver premium packaging for fruit and fresh produce.
- Paper and compostable solutions are gaining ground
Paper-based and compostable packaging solutions were present at Fruit Logistica, though slow adoption points towards plenty of growth potential. Where high barrier performance and machinability are critical, as they often are in this sector, flexible films continue to dominate.
That said, we firmly believe in the potential of these substrates. Innovations in barrier coatings and compostable films are making paper and compostable packaging more accessible and more viable with every passing year. The category may be slow to adopt, but the direction of travel is clear.
Parkside continues to invest in this space. Our paper-based Recoflex range and our Park2Nature™ compostable materials are designed for exactly this transition. We see the opportunity, and we’re committed to developing the innovations that will make it a reality.
- Cost pressure demands commercially smart innovation
Cost pressure remains a defining factor across the supply chain. The innovations that resonated most at Fruit Logistica were those with a clear commercial benefit: material reduction, efficiency gains, and tangible return on investment.
This mirrors what we’re seeing at a consumer level, too. With cost-of-living pressures still in play, consumers are less inclined to pay a premium for sustainability alone. The good news for brand owners is that many sustainable innovations, such as downgauging and film simplification, are inherently cost-efficient. As these solutions become more mainstream, economies of scale will continue to ease the commercial pressure, making it easier for brands to implement these technologies without absorbing additional cost.
Fruit Logistica 2026 confirmed what we’ve long believed at Parkside: the future of fresh produce packaging lies in solutions that are practical, scalable, and commercially viable. Sustainability isn’t going away, far from it, but it has to be delivered alongside performance, functionality, and value.
That’s precisely what our team is here to help with. Whether you’re looking at recyclable monopolymer films, paper-based alternatives, shelf-life extension, or premium print finishes, we’d love to talk. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your fresh produce packaging needs.
