Packaging Material for Fruits, Vegetables and Root Crops

https://blog.victorypackaging.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Blog_Fruit%20and%20Veg%20Packaging.jpg?width=1024&name=Blog_Fruit%20and%20Veg%20Packaging.jpg

There are many different types of package in use throughout the world. Packaging for fresh produce is of several types :

1. Baskets:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLcAXWcYvsIQGpyWBcP00RK99LOlGc4szwxdea
H2SsgdADch9BlwU2ohtAgjX2ULuuqrg&usqp=CAU

Baskets are made from woven strips of leaves, plastic and bamboo. Bamboo baskets of different shapes and sizes are used for number of perishable commodities. As the dimensional stability and ability to withstand stacking load is low, they are suitable for head load only and for very short distance transportation only. These packages are not strong enough to withstand rough handling and they are not rigid enough to take the stacking load of more than two or three baskets.

2.  Sacks and Nets:

https://5.imimg.com/data5/NA/NK/RH/SELLER-25961178/vegetable-net-bag-500x500.jpg

The materials used for sacks and nets may be woven natural fibre (jute, cotton), woven synthetic (polypropylene, polyethylene), knitted natural fabric (cotton), knitted synthetic (polyethylene) or non-woven synthetic (propylene).

The advantages of using sacks and nets are merely financial. The sacks and nets are cheap, have a low weight/volume ratio and, if made of a synthetic material, will not rot. The disadvantages include a low protection against puncturing, compression, vibration and impact injuries such as dropping, difficult stacking, and the need of special stitching equipment. In general, nets are only suitable for hard produce such as coconuts and root crops (potatoes, onions). 

3.  Wooden Crates:

https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/fruits-and-vegetables-in-a-wooden-crate-on-white-background-picture-id953006520

Commonly used are wire bound crates for citrus/potatoes, wooden trays for tomatoes and wooden field crates. 

The advantages of wooden crates are:
 1. The crates can be manufactured and repaired locally. 
2. Wood is relatively resistant to different weather conditions and water.
 3. Wooden crates are often reused and have a higher efficiency for larger fruits, e.g. watermelons.
 4. Most crates have good ventilation. 
Disadvantages of wooden crates are: 
1. Untreated wood can easily become contaminated with fungi and bacteria.
 2. Treatment of wooden crates with paint or other chemicals may cause produce deterioration. 
3. The material may be too hard or rough for produce like soft fruits, and therefore liners of a soft material may be needed.
 4. Manufacturing of wooden crates puts an extra claim on the natural forest resources.

4.  Solid and Corrugated Fiberboard Boxes:

https://5.imimg.com/data5/SELLER/Default/2021/8/QN/JK/EO/9344673/corrugated-fruit-packaging-cardboard-box-500x500.jpg

Fibreboards are of two types viz. CFB (Corrugated Fibre Board) and SFB (Solid Fibre Board). Fibreboard boxes are frequently used because of their low weight, their range of sizes and shapes and their availability. Solid fibreboard boxes (cartons): The boxes are used for tomato, cucumber and ginger transport. Most of them are printed with attractive colours, a brand name and a label. The information can be stamped on this label after filling the box.

Advantages of solid fibreboard boxes:
 • Low weight and easy to handle
. • The box can have any design, although it is recommended to use sizes fitting on the standard design of pallets.
 • The boxes are delivered flat and assembling boxes can be done locally.
 • The box has a low purchase cost. 
Disadvantages of solid fibreboard boxes:
 • Moisture and high humidity can seriously weaken the box. Washed produce should be made free from surface moisture before putting it into the box. Empty boxes should be stored in a dry place preferably flat on top of pallets and not for long periods of time.
 • The low rigidity causes the lower stacking strength compared to wooden or plastic crates. The fibre-board boxes are easily damaged by rough handling and ropes and too much weight on top of the box can crush the perishable produce inside. 
• Ventilation holes are usually small, because large holes would seriously influence the strength of the box. It is advised that the hole surfaces area is kept at least 5 percent of the total surface area of the box. Decreasing the size of the holes by not properly closing telescope boxes or not properly stacking the boxes will decrease heat exchange, resulting in higher temperatures of the produce and increased spoilage. Vertical oblong slots, instead of round holes, have the advantage that the hole stays partly open even when the telescope box lid is not completely closed.
 • The boxes are not re-usable. 
Corrugated Fiberboard (CFB): Corrugated fiberboard is manufactured in many different styles and weights. Because of its relativity low cost and versatility, it is the popular produce container material and will probably remain so in the near future. The flat surfaces of CFB boxes are known as ‘face’ and the corrugated surfaces are known as ‘flutes’. The strength of CFB primarily depends on the GSM (g/m2 ) of kraft paper used, no. of flutes/ meter and the height of the flutes. 
The advantages of corrugated fiberboard boxes are:
 Low weight, easy to handle, cushioning effect due to relatively soft walls. The CFB box can be fabricated to any design, the boxes are delivered flat and assembling of boxes can be done locally. They also have good printability. Above all they are most eco-friendly package due to their biodegradability.
However, low rigidity and poor stacking strength, high moisture absorbance, and low re-usability are the major disadvantages of CFB boxes. While packaging of fresh horticultural commodities, attention must be given for proper gaseous exchanges by providing required ventilation holes. As a rule, ventilation area should be at least 5 per cent of the total outer surface area of the box. Vertical/ oblong slots are better than round holes. Sometimes coatings with wax or poly linings are also used in CFB boxes in order to make them moisture proof.  

5.  Plastic Crates:

https://img3.exportersindia.com/product_images/bc-full/2018/7/5169758/fruit-vegetable-plastic-crate-1532584561-4138263.jpeg

In general, plastic crates are more expensive than wooden crates or carton boxes, initially but in long run they work out to be cheaper because of their more usability and longer life span. Plastic crates are usually made of highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP). 

Advantages of plastic crates:
 • As a strong, rigid crate, these plastic crates can be used for many journeys, making the cost per journey relatively low.
 • Different sizes and shapes are available to suit different customer needs. Colours can be used for marketing purposes.
 • The containers are easy to clean and disinfect. Plastic crates are strong and water resistant and therefore, the containers can be used in humid areas and during hydro cooling. 
Disadvantages of plastic crates:
 • The hard surfaces can damage the produce and it is advised to use liners at the bottom and side.
 • The high purchase cost combined with the risk of pilferage could make this type of crate a financial risk.
 • Because this crate can be used several times, the extra cost for the return trip should be included in the total running cost. 

6.  Pallet Boxes and Shipping Containers:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRp4RWHhhn2wjjis8kwauYmxff4FFS0K7NezA&usqp=CAU

Loading and unloading is one of the very important steps in the post-harvest packaging of fruits, vegetables and root crops. Post-harvest losses can be considerably reduced by using pallets. All the subsequent handling and transportation operation become very easy once the boxes are placed on pallets. Pallets literally form the base on which most fresh produce is delivered to the consumer.

Advantages of a pallet box system:

 • Less manual handling and thus reduced cost in loading, filling and unloading.

 • More efficient use of available storage as compared to smaller crates. 

• Increased speed of mechanical harvest.

 Disadvantages of a pallet box system:

 • The return volume of most of the pallet boxes is the same as the full load.

 • The system requires higher investments in forklift trucks, trailers and handling systems to empty the pallet box. 

• Because of the larger volumes, the produce is more easily injured during filling and unloading and the top layers will have made more movements during transport than when packed in smaller boxes.  

Let us sum up:

Adopting improved packaging, handling and transportation methods can successfully avert huge post harvest losses. The product requirements, the marketing system and the personnel preference will determine the type of packaging to use.

References:

1. Cornelis, C.M., Schuur (1988) Packaging for fruits, vegetables and root crops. FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, Bridgetown, Barbados.
 2. Er. B. Pantasico (Eds.) (1975) Post harvest physiology, handling and utilization of tropical and subtropical fruits and vegetables. AVI Publishing Co. 
3. Roy, S.K., Pal, R.K. and Sen, Nita (2000) Packaging technology for fruits, vegetables and their products. In Post harvest technology of fruits and vegetables. Indus Publishing company. New Delhi. 
4. Thomsan, A.K. (1996) Post harvest technologies of fruits and vegetables Eds. Blackwell Science Ltd.
 5. Wills, R.B.H., McGlasson, W.B., Graham, D., Lee, T.H. and Hall, E.G. (1996) Post Harvest. An introduction to the physiology and handling of fruits and vegetables. CBS Publishers and Distributors, Delhi.