Growing consumer interest in convenience and health and retailers’ ever-expanding need for labor-saving solutions continue to converge to create huge demand for fresh-cut fruit products in grocery produce departments.

Fresh Del Monte continues to see increasing interest in convenient, ready-to-eat options, as well as growing demand for healthier food choices, driving the popularity of fresh-cut produce, said Nuno Baptista Miranda, senior brand manager for Fresh Del Monte.

Last year, Fresh Del Monte launched On-the-Go Oats, a full line of breakfast meals with fresh-cut fruit. The product comes in three flavors: Apples & Walnuts; Pineapple, Mango & Coconut; and Blueberries & Almonds. All contain vanilla yogurt, oats and up to 2 ounces of fresh-cut fruit in each serving.

“Consumers love it because it offers a unique combination of fiber and protein from the oats and the vitamins from the fruit,” said Nuno Baptista Miranda, senior brand manager for Fresh Del Monte. “The consumption occasions are also varied from breakfast to snacking with some consumers stating they have it as a meal as well.”

Fresh Del Monte is also reporting strong acceptance and demand for another product launched last year, Dessert Pudding Cups. a ready-to-enjoy dessert that contains 100% fresh-cut fruit with pudding and toppings such as granola, graham crackers, chocolate chips, and cinnamon streusel.

Another recent launch the company is excited about, Miranda said, is Fresh Guacamole from Del Monte, which features fresh avocado topped with fresh pico de gallo, perfectly seasoned and ready to enjoy, with no artificial flavors. When it comes to best sellers in its fresh-cut portfolio, Fresh Cut Pinkglow Pineapple remains a hit among customers and consumers alike, Miranda said. Exclusive to Del Monte, Pinkglow, which launched in 2020, has a distinctive pink interior unlike anything else on the market. It comes in a variety of cut and serving sizes, Miranda said.

Look for additional new items in Fresh Del Monte’s product roster later this year, he added.