Pomegranates are well known around the world for their vibrant color, delicious sweetness and tanginess combination, and numerous health benefits. From India's orchards to tables across the globe, pomegranate varieties like Alandi/Vadki, Dholka, Kandhari, Kabul, Muskat, Paper Shelled, and Spanish Ruby are exported to countries like Greece, Israel, Russia, the UAE, and Italy. As this exotic fruit is particularly susceptible to unfavorable storage conditions, setting the correct pomegranate temperature in reefer containers is essential to preserving its quality from harvest to consumption.
Storage of pomegranates is one of the most important variables in maintaining their quality during transportation. Perishable fruits are frequently shipped over long distances in reefer containers to ensure their quality remains intact. Whether you are a distributor or retailer, you need to understand the pomegranate storage temperature and monitoring of reefer containers to export the fruits overseas.
In this blog, we will explore the storage of pomegranates in reefer containers at a constant temperature, the key components, and best practices for handling and transit.
The Ideal Temperature in Reefer Containers for Pomegranate
Transporting pomegranates requires careful temperature management to keep them fresh. The ideal temperature for storing pomegranates in reefer containers depends on the nature of the fruit being shipped.
The following are the essentials for pomegranate storage according to the specified temperature:
- Optimal Temperature: From +4 to +6 °C (or +39 to +43 °F)
To maintain the quality and lengthen the shelf life of pomegranates, stick to this temperature range.
- Maximum Air Exchange: 15 M³/hour
Ensure sufficient, regulated airflow to avoid carbon dioxide accumulation and preserve freshness.
- Roughly Stored Time frame: 60 days
When stored properly, pomegranates can last up to 60 days before their quality starts to deteriorate.
- Controlled Humidity: Off
Pomegranates do not require active humidity control when stored, in contrast to certain other fruits. Turn off humidity controls to avoid an excessive buildup of moisture, which can cause rot or mold.
- Value Protection Deadline: Ten days following the date of harvest
Ensuring that the items fulfill quality criteria upon arriving at the port of loading requires them to be gated in within 10 days of the harvest date.
The Production of Ethylene and Respiration
Similar to other fruits, pomegranates also produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy during their respiration process. High temperatures can affect the respiration rate, which might degrade the fruit quality. Fruit firmness, flavor, and nutritional content are preserved by limiting respiration rate and maintaining an ideal temperature range.
Pomegranates also release ethylene, a plant hormone that naturally occurs and aids in ripening. Elevated temperatures can speed up the ethylene production that causes early ripening and spoilage during transportation.
Control of Humidity
Relative humidity control is a must to maintain in a reefer container to export perishable fruit from one port to another. If the fruit gets dry or is exposed to severe humidity, it might lead to bacterial growth and germs. Reefer containers are equipped with efficient humidity control systems that maintain optimal humidity levels, ensuring that pomegranates stay fresh all along the transit.
Avoid Extreme Chilling
You need to refrain from storing the pomegranates at very low temperatures, as it might result in discoloration and increase the risk of rot. Furthermore, the degradation of fruit quality will have a negative impact on the market.
Protection From External Elements
Refrigerated containers are designed to withstand very high or low temperatures, providing your cargo with strong protection. Reefer containers are the best choice to handle perishable cargo due to their steady temperature levels.
Transportation Cost Savings
The companies that indulge with perishable cargo can eventually reduce their cost of transportation by adapting the temperature monitoring reefer containers.This proactive approach improves reliability in delivering fresh, high-quality goods and mitigate the chances of goods spoilage during the transit.
The Best Methods for Managing and Transporting Pomegranates
Reefer cargo handling involves careful attention to detail across the entire transit cycle, including processing, stowing, and packaging. A single mistake can hamper the entire transport process, including the grade, shelf life, and quality of the product. The kind of equipment used, the volume and weight of the cargo, the distance traveled, and any applicable rules must all be carefully taken into account when transporting perishable cargo.
Handling Pre-Shipment
Freight forwarders make sure all the information is correct before exporting perishable goods . This entails:
- Weight and volume of the product
- Ports of departure and arrival
- Sort of packing (palettes, drums, and boxes)
- Requirements for humidity and temperature
- Any additional requirements for special handling
In addition, the freight forwarders typically handle other tasks such as verifying the identity of the vessel and container, scheduling the shipment date, ensuring that the weights and sizes meet the legal standards, and fulfilling all other requirements.
Pre-Cooling
When it comes to shipping perishable cargo, you need to comprehend the pre-cooling steps carefully. Reefers simply keep the goods at the pre-cooled temperature; they don't really chill them. Prior to packing the goods into the reefer container, the freight forwarders must ensure that they have already cooled to the required temperature to prevent freezer burn and surface thawing. This usually happens when both the cargo and container levels of temperature differ. A well-insulated tunnel called a "cold tunnel" is used to load goods. It keeps warm, humid air out of the container and helps to keep temperatures steady.
Packaging and Stowing
When exporting perishable cargo, it's essential to focus on proper packaging and stowing. This not only facilitates easier handling of the goods but also ensures that they can withstand fluctuating weather conditions. Robust packaging will sustain the weight of the goods. When the freight is stowed, there must be adequate air supply and flow to preserve the quality of the goods.
Conclusion
Reefer containers with temperature control can be a game changer for preserving the quality of the perishable goods being shipped to different countries. With the launch of refrigerated containers, export business has become easier to conduct, thereby reducing the cost of transportation.
Citrus Freight , one of the top-ranking reefer booking platforms , is the best choice to export perishable goods. The reefer containers at Citrus Freight can easily track the goods whereabouts.
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