Using the Flexible Retort Pouch to Add Value to Agricultural Products

Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Andrew G. Hashimoto, Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822. An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran. CTAHR publications can be found on the Web site . Hawaii’s diverse agricultural production sector is the basis of its growing food-processing industries, which provide a variety of unique products to both residents and visitors. In 2000 the food-processing sector contributed $1.07 billion to Hawaii’s economy, in addition to the $1.94 billion that came from agricultural product sales (source: Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service). Hawaii’s food processing industries include pineapple processing, sugar processing, canned vegetables and fruits, confectionary products, salted and roasted nuts and roasted coffee, meat products, milk products, grain and bakery products, and beverage products. Many agricultural industries, such as the beef industry (Cox and Bredhoff 2003), are interested in adding value to their products with processing.