PULLACH, GERMANY – In an international analysis on consumer preference and fresh food packaging, IFCO has announced that The Global Shopper Produce Display Preferences Survey showed shoppers prefer IFCO Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) over cardboard boxes by a 55 percent to 25 percent margin. 

Wolfgang Orgeldinger, CEO, IFCO Systems Group

“There are a lot of good reasons to use IFCO RPCs to package, transport, store and display fresh produce. They are safer, more efficient, cost-effective, sustainable and protect food better than one-way packaging,” said Wolfgang Orgeldinger, CEO of IFCO. “Now, we have confirmation that IFCO RPCs are the fresh food packaging choice of most consumers, and that is another critical factor retailers and growers should consider when making supply chain decisions.”

The survey was conducted to find grocery shoppers’ feedback in relation to the two most common types of produce packaging, according to a press release. The company reported the following results according to surveyed consumers:

• IFCO RPCs are more attractive than cardboard boxes by a 59 percent to 23 percent margin

• IFCO RPCs deliver fresher produce than cardboard boxes by a 50 percent to 24 percent margin

• IFCO RPCs deliver higher quality produce than cardboard boxes by a 50 percent to 23 percent margin

• 45 percent would pay more for fresh produce packed in IFCO RPCs, while just 20 percent said they would pay more for produce packed in cardboard boxes

• IFCO RPCs are the top produce packaging choice of men and women surveyed, as well as every age cohort

“We live in a consumer-driven world, and these results show consumers strongly prefer IFCO RPCs for fresh food packaging,” finished Orgeldinger. “The study clearly shows retailers and growers can enhance shopper experience and increase sales by using IFCO RPCs.”

The survey was conducted in February of this year by Brandcheck, and consulted 2,200 consumers from 11 different countries. 

Keep your eye on AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on consumer trends within the fresh produce industry.

IFCO