WORKSHOP ON POST HARVESTING TECHNIQUES OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS

INTRODUCTION FOOD QUALITY STATEMENT It is recommended that there is a need for classification and a quality mark on local produce, otherwise consumers have little confidence in purchasing it as they are unable to be confident of local produce of good quality.

PROCESS INVOLVED This process involves producers examining produce for the following characteristics: - Size Shape Colour Visual Defects

Marketing Information Required All domestic products should be labelled and packed with the following: - Place of origin, including name and address of producer Local Quality Mark Weight and/or, count of product consignment and where applicable size Grade, classification, and variety of the product to Relevant Standards Failure to do so, leaves a potential lack of consumer confidence

Key Marketing Issues to be addressed Sorting Grading Storage Packaging Labeling Quality inspection systems Cleaning and hygiene Role of Wholesale Markets

SORTING - GRADING

SORTING GRADING Sorting grading operation in all European countries is fully mechanised.Two types are available. One where produce just moves through conveyer belts and sorting and packing is done manually by workers. Second, fully automatic sorting and packing lines, where produce is sorted and graded through computer control systems . This is done by on the basis of presence of blemishes and colour and also grading is done by weight or size basis and produce is packed in cartons or crates automatically. a

Sorting – Grading of Capsicum

Sorting – Grading of Asparagus

Sorting – Grading of Tomato

Sorting – Grading of Capsicum

Sorting of Produce at Amman Wholesale Market - Jordan

Jordanian Exported Produce on sale in Dubai

STORE MANAGEMENT

STORAGE Growers and store managers should always keep in mind that the purpose of storing fruit and vegetables is to ensure a supply of highly acceptable fruit and vegetables outside of the growing season for as long as is possible and economically justified.

STORAGE The objectives of storage are to:  Preserve the freshness of produce to a degree that makes them as acceptable to the customer as freshly harvested crops. To satisfy a regular continuous demand outside of the regular season of production To provide as near to a year round supply of the staple commodity produce as possible

STORAGE Store managers must be aware that the maximum storage life of fruit and vegetables can only be achieved by storing undamaged produce at the lowest temperature tolerable to the crop.

STORAGE Store managers should strive to maintain an even storage temperature regime through out the entire length of the storage period. Crops entering store should be cooled down to their optimum storage temperature as soon as possible, as any delay in lowering temperature will seriously affect the length of time that the crop can be successfully stored.

STORAGE Automated systems of temperature control are recommended, but at the very least stores should have hand read or electronic thermometers available to measure stored crop temperature at representative points in the store (at least one thermometer for every 150 tonnes of stored crop).

PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Most Fruit and Vegetables Produce needs packaging of some sort, this can be bag, box, crate basket, containers etc Exceptions are generally large fruit and vegetables such as pumpkins and water melons

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Produce preparation and good packaging techniques should be more than repaid by : - Higher Prices Lower Losses

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Sophisticated Packaging will be used more when it significantly reduces losses of perishable produce e.g. soft fruits Other Example is the Waxing and wrapping of for example oranges is very common, and preserves the produce and make it more attractive to the buyer

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables The Packaging of fruit and vegetables serves six basic purposes: -

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Costs and product loss would certainly be much higher if everything had to be carried and moved without any form of packaging Allows short/medium storage of produce and in some cases for example Cauliflower long term frozen storage due to Vapour/gas tight packing

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables It makes produce more attractive to the buyer thus increasing the price at which it can be sold. Packaging and labelling of produce also gives the buyer confidence in procurement, because more information is available about the product. For example, size, grade, origin etc

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables It provides a convenient way of handling and transporting produce Packaging is used to divide produce into convenient units for wholesale and retail sales

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Calculating packaging costs Assume that apples are packed 12 kg at a time in plastic crates which, with occasional repairs, can be used for 40 trips. A box costs $6, repairs and cleaning during its life costs $2 and each time the box is transported back empty to the producing area costs $1.  

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Then the packaging cost per trip is ... [ (original cost + repairs) ÷ no. of trips] + transport when empty or ($6 + $2) ÷ 40 trips + $1 = $1.20 per 12 kg and $1.20 ÷ 12 kg = $0.10 per kg  

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Transport loaded with fresh produce either in bulk or in containers of any description should be driven considerately, as driving too fast on fields, rough farm tracks or the highway will cause compression damage to produce. Also damage can be caused in transit by the constant shaking on bumpy roads and exposure to sun on top of the truck  

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Containers, bulk bins or sacks should be loaded onto transport carefully and in such a way as to avoid shifting or collapse of the load during transportation.

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Bulk loads or the top of open containers travelling long distances should be covered with preferable a open weave sheet such as hessian to prevent excessive dehydration caused by exposure to hot sun.

Packaging and Transportation of Fruit and Vegetables Transporting and charging by Container Truckers paid on a container basis, leads farmers and traders to squeezing as much as possible into the container This can be a false economy and the loss resulting from damage caused usually exceeds the savings in transport costs

Transportation of Jordanian Produce to Dubai

PACKAGING Following types of packing are in use for packing of various fruit and vegetables in European countries: Cardboard carton Plastic crates Nylon net bags Polythene bags Shrink wraps Tray packing

Quality Inspection & packing Tomatoes

Recommended Case Material Recommended International Standard Wholesale Packaging Guidelines for Selected Fruits and Vegetables Product Recommended Carton/Box Size (cm) Recommended Case Material Recommended Capacity APPLES 50 x 30 x 20 Wooden or corrugated cardboard Box 8 – 12 Kilos GRAPES 60 x 40 x 24 Plastic or corrugated cardboard Box 8 Kilos produce separated by plastic bagged / wrapped cluster bags of 1 kg PEPPERS/PAPRIKA Plastic or Corrugated cardboard Box 5 – 7.5 Kilos SOFT FRUIT 50 x 30 x 204 Plastic or corrugated cardboard box 4-5 Kilos

Carton boxes used for packing

Automatic Capsicum packing line

Banana packing

Cauliflower & Leeks packed in crates

Capsicum packing

Onions packed in crates & nylon net bags

Automatic Tomato packing line

Capsicums Shrink wrap tray packing

LABELLING

QUALITY LABELS To establish the confidence among buyers food labels are a compulsory part of the international quality standards Some markets used their own quality label on the packs, which is a indication of top quality. One such label used in Europe is FLANDRIA QUALITY who sell more than 30 varieties of fruit & vegetables under this label.

Flandria quality label for leek

Quality label for Tomatoes

Quality label for lettuce

Quality label

Branding

CONCEPT AND ROLE OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKETS On-site services include: Sorting, Grading, Packing Facilities Temperature Control Storage Market Information Food Quality Controls Mechanical Handling Services Processing facilities

The Importance of a Central Wholesale Market at National Level IMPORTERS LOCAL PRODUCERS OVERSEAS PRODUCERS WHOLESALE MARKET On-site services must include: Sorting, Grading, Packing Facilities Temperature Controlled Cold Storage Produce Mechanical Handling Market Information Services Food Quality Control Systems PROCESSORS RETAILERS SUPERMARKET CHAIN CONSUMERS

an independent, non-trading company Coldstore facilities & Sorting, How the Wholesale Centre operates The Dina Wholesale Food Centre in Kazakhstan, C. Asia provides services for wholesalers and farmers and attracts many buyers to make it easy for them to sell their produce Dina Wholesale Centre an independent, non-trading company Services to attract buyers and assist Wholesalers and Farmers Pay rent for space to sell from Publicity and Promotion Market Information Farmers acting as wholesalers Profits Coldstore facilities & Sorting, Grading, Packing Wholesalers BUYERS - Restaurants, Hospitals, Shops, Kiosks Schools, Hotels, Market traders Buyers like to buy at the Wholesale Centre because of the wide choice, variety and the chance of comparing value for money

FOOD QUALITY STANDARDS AND INSPECTION SYSTEMS

Quality Inspection Systems At farm level At the market At farm level: Responsibility lies with the grower himself to conform to international standards. At market : Checked by independent Govt. Agencies.

Quality Standard Guidelines

Quality Standards to Assist Producers

Sample of International Quality Standards for Tomatoes Various Classes of Tomatoes with Quality Tolerance Levels based on weight, size, shape, blemishes and defects Extra’ Class , Class I, Class II B. Size tolerances For all classes: 10% by number or weight of tomatoes conforming to the size immediately above or below that specified Sizing scale The following sizing scale has been adopted: 35 mm and over but under 40 mm 40 mm and over but under 47 mm ,47 mm and over but under 57 mm 57 mm and over but under 67 mm ,67 mm and over but under 82 mm 82 mm and over but under 102 mm,102 mm and over.

Advice in Post Harvest Techniques

QUALITY INSPECTION TOOLS For quality inspection various types of tools are used in European countries, some of them are Sampling and inspection Trolley. Hand size graders – For measuring different diameter. Fruit pressure tester – For checking fruit hardness. Colorimeter – For checking fruit maturity.

Quality Inspection trolley

Checking Apple maturity using Colorimeter

Amman Auction Market The emphasis on Food Quality issues within the market, seems to be lacking, it was suggested that the market company need to review existing services to improve the general environment of the market

Recommendations to the Amman Auction Market If a separate auction market is to be established for Export Sales then a number of initiatives need to be introduced. 1. Consideration should be given. that produce sold needs to be standardised in line with international standards for fresh fruit and vegetables, and traders segregated depending on the produce sold

Amman Auction Market 2. The Market must ensure quality control measures are introduced and products are sold in a more transparent way, by weight, class, size, and place of origin 3. Standard packaging and labelling needs to be introduced for selected fruit and vegetable products

Amman Auction Market 4.On site sorting, grading and packaging facilities should be considered by the market as a charging service to users 5. New “hands on” management systems need to be introduced to make the market more efficient and effective, and to observe trading methods of wholesalers For example: - Auction Trading

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