Whole fruit form means fruit is supplied intact and uncut, such as whole IQF strawberries, whole blueberries or whole dried plums, and is preferred for retail and premium food manufacturing where visual appearance and structural integrity are priorities.
In trade practice
Growers and processors sort whole fruit by size and remove defective, crushed or deformed pieces before freezing or drying, as any mechanical damage is immediately visible in the finished pack. Buyers specify the maximum share of crushed, deformed or undersized pieces and the size grade, typically by diameter or count per kilogram. Retail-facing buyers often require a higher whole-piece percentage than industrial buyers and may conduct image-based audits on arrival. Mishandling during palletisation or transport can increase the proportion of damaged pieces beyond the agreed tolerance.
In a specification
A whole fruit form specification states the size grade, the maximum permitted percentage of crushed, deformed or broken pieces, and any defect categories such as discolouration, foreign matter or off-odour.