A Report on Our Transition to Biodegradable Mulch Films in Field Trials

Mulch films help growers manage weeds, conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature around crops. For Fresh Del Monte Produce, they also represent an opportunity to reduce reliance on conventional plastic in agricultural production. Our transition to biodegradable mulch films is being assessed through controlled field trials designed to measure performance, soil health and practical suitability before wider adoption.

The work forms part of a broader sustainability approach covering responsible sourcing, environmental protection, healthy food production and engagement with farming communities. Our sustainability approach is built around measurable progress, so the trial programme is examining what happens to the film during cultivation, harvest and the following growing cycle—not simply whether it performs well for one season.

Australia provides a valuable setting for this assessment. Agricultural conditions range from tropical rainfall in Queensland to dry, irrigated horticultural districts around Mildura and sandy soils near Perth. Growers also work within strict biosecurity expectations and a market where consumers, major retailers and food-service businesses increasingly examine packaging and production impacts.

Why Mulch Films Matter

Conventional polyethylene mulch films are widely used because they are light, effective and relatively inexpensive. They can suppress weeds, reduce evaporation, protect fruit from soil splash and help crops establish. Their environmental drawback is the difficulty of collecting contaminated film after harvest. Soil, plant residues and moisture can make recycling expensive or impractical, leaving disposal as the most common outcome.

Biodegradable mulch films are designed to break down through biological activity into simpler substances under defined conditions. That description requires care. A film labelled biodegradable is not automatically suitable for incorporation into every soil, and it is different from a product intended only for industrial composting. The material must be assessed against recognised standards, supplier evidence and the actual climate and soil conditions where it will be used.

The environmental case also depends on what remains during degradation. Field testing therefore looks for visible fragments, changes in film thickness and possible accumulation of persistent particles. This wider perspective matters because concerns about small plastic particles extend beyond agriculture; research into advanced filtration media reflects the growing focus on preventing and managing microplastic contamination across water systems.

What Field Trials Are Testing

Our trials compare biodegradable mulch film with conventional film and, where practical, an uncovered control plot. The assessment covers weed suppression, soil moisture, surface temperature, crop establishment, fruit quality and yield. Film strength is monitored throughout the season because a material that breaks down too early may expose crops to weeds or moisture loss, while one that remains intact too long may create end-of-season management problems.

The trial design also considers installation and removal. Growers need film that can be laid with existing equipment, withstand wind and irrigation, and remain stable around plant stems. At harvest, teams inspect whether the film can be collected cleanly, whether it tears into fragments and whether machinery becomes obstructed. These operational details are essential for a realistic life-cycle assessment.

Samples are taken from soil before installation, during cultivation and after the film has completed its intended service period. Laboratory analysis may examine carbon changes, residue size and biological activity, while field observations record earthworm presence, soil structure and water infiltration. Results are interpreted alongside crop performance rather than treated as a single pass-or-fail measure.

Designing Trials for Australian Conditions

Australian farming conditions make local validation especially important. In Queensland, intense rainfall and warm temperatures can accelerate biological activity while also placing stress on the film through runoff and saturated soils. In the Riverland and Sunraysia regions, where irrigation supports important horticultural production, moisture conservation and compatibility with drip systems are key considerations.

Trials in Western Australia need to account for sandy soils, wind exposure and high solar intensity. In all locations, the timing of installation, planting and harvest affects degradation. A film that performs well in a cool season may behave differently during a hot summer, so multiple sites and growing cycles provide more useful evidence than a single demonstration plot.

The programme also reflects Australian farming customs and decision-making. Growers often rely on local agronomists, field days, supplier relationships and practical experience shared through regional networks. Feedback from these groups is being considered alongside laboratory results, because adoption will depend on whether the film fits established work routines and available machinery.

Early Findings And Evidence

Initial field observations indicate that biodegradable films can provide useful weed control and moisture retention during the main crop cycle when selected for the right crop and climate. In several test plots, film integrity remained sufficient through establishment and early growth, while crop rows received comparable protection to those covered with conventional material.

The findings also show why product selection cannot be generalised. Degradation rates vary with resin composition, thickness, soil temperature, moisture, ultraviolet exposure and microbial activity. Edges and areas exposed to sunlight may change sooner than film beneath the crop canopy. These differences are being recorded so that future recommendations can link film specifications to particular growing conditions.

Yield is only one part of the evidence. A biodegradable option may deliver similar crop performance while requiring different laying speeds, storage conditions or end-of-season practices. We are therefore tracking labour, equipment settings, irrigation demand and the proportion of film that can be managed without manual recovery. A credible sustainability improvement must work for growers as well as for environmental reporting.

Managing Soil And Water Outcomes

A central question is whether film breakdown supports a healthy soil environment without leaving harmful residues. Our assessment includes soil texture, moisture movement, organic matter and biological indicators. These measurements help distinguish genuine biodegradation from physical fragmentation, where a larger piece of plastic simply becomes smaller pieces.

Water management is equally important. Mulch can reduce evaporation and help maintain more consistent moisture near plant roots, which may be valuable in dry Australian production zones. However, excessive runoff or blocked infiltration could undermine those benefits. Trial plots are monitored after irrigation and rainfall to understand how the film influences water movement across the bed.

The programme also considers the relationship between agricultural inputs and nearby waterways. Good field practice includes maintaining buffer zones, managing drainage and preventing loose material from leaving the growing area. These safeguards support broader goals around protected land, water stewardship and responsible production, regardless of the final material choice.

Working With Growers And Communities

A transition of this kind cannot be delivered through material substitution alone. Growers, farm managers, agronomists, film manufacturers, waste specialists and local communities all contribute knowledge that can improve the trial process. Their input helps identify practical barriers, such as film availability, storage requirements, machinery compatibility and uncertainty about claims made on product labels.

Communication is particularly important for Australian consumers, who may encounter sustainability messages in supermarkets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and regional centres. Clear information is needed to explain that biodegradable mulch film is an agricultural input, not food packaging, and that its environmental performance depends on verified breakdown conditions. Accurate language helps avoid confusion between biodegradable, compostable, recyclable and reusable materials.

We are also documenting lessons that can support educational programmes and responsible procurement. Supplier declarations, certification records and trial data are being retained so that future decisions can be reviewed. This approach encourages accountability across the supply chain rather than placing the full responsibility for waste reduction on growers.

Practical Priorities For The Next Phase

The next stage will focus on expanding the evidence base while maintaining consistent environmental safeguards. We will compare results across seasons, crop types and production regions, with particular attention to the conditions that accelerate or delay breakdown.

Priority actions include:

• Extend trials across tropical, temperate and irrigated Australian growing conditions.
• Verify biodegradation claims through independent testing and field-based soil analysis.
• Measure crop yield, fruit quality, water use, labour and machinery performance together.
• Establish clear procedures for film storage, installation, monitoring and post-trial soil management.
• Engage growers and agronomists through demonstrations, field days and structured feedback.
• Report both successful outcomes and limitations before making broader procurement decisions.

These priorities will help determine where biodegradable mulch films are technically ready, where further development is required and where conventional materials may still be the more responsible short-term option when recovery and recycling systems are available. The objective is evidence-based transition, not replacement for its own sake.

A successful outcome will be measured over more than one harvest. It will require reliable crop protection, practical farm operations, verified soil outcomes and transparent reporting that communities and customers can understand. By treating field trials as a learning process, Fresh Del Monte can connect innovation in agricultural materials with its wider commitments to environmental care and responsible food production.

The practical takeaway is straightforward: biodegradable mulch film should be adopted site by site, backed by independent evidence, grower experience and a documented plan for protecting soil and water throughout the crop cycle.