Produce Transport – Factors That Could Adversely Impact the Integrity of Your Products
Posted on: 24 September 2018
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Selling produce can be a lucrative business since your consumers will always be in need of food. Nonetheless, whether your business is profitable or not will largely depend on the quality of your products once they get to market. Therefore, it is essential for produce sellers to employ strict control over the handling and transportation of their produce from the farm to the final consumers. There are various considerations that you should have in mind if you are to make sure that the value chain is as efficient as possible. The following piece examines a few of the main factors that could impact the integrity of your products during produce transport.
The temperature in the transportation container
Inarguably, the temperature that the produce is exposed to will have a massive influence of the quality of the products. In essence, low temperatures will be the best option for fresh produce, as this limits the rate of respiration of the produce. However, if the temperatures are too low, the produce could develop freezing injuries, that could change the taste of the produce. High temperatures are never ideal when transporting fresh produce because it accelerates respiration, which in turn increases the risk of your produce rotting before they arrive at the market.
Humidity in the transportation container
Another critical factor when transporting fresh produce is humidity control. This condition is especially vital in Australia which has varying humidity levels depending on the location. If the humidity levels are deficient, the fresh produce will start to lose their water weight. Subsequently, the produce could begin to wilt and will be less than appealing when they reach the consumer. In addition to this, the water loss also deteriorates that plant's cells, making the produce susceptible to fungal growths. If your fresh produce needs to be refrigerated when in transit, but you do not want the low humidity levels to affect the plants, you should consider waxing the crops. This wax creates a barrier against the dryness.
Mixing produce in one transportation container
All types of produce can be preserved when in transit. Nonetheless, it is crucial to note that different types of produce will have varying needs. Some individuals make the mistake of assuming they will be saving on expenses by transporting all their mixed produce in one container. The problem with this approach is that while some produce may thrive in that specific environment, other types could quickly go rancid when exposed to the same conditions. To retain the quality of your produce, ensure that different types of products are transported separately.
Reach out to a company that does produce transport for more direction and tips.