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Introduction :
In this blog, we will discuss about transportation of fresh produce. Transport
refers to carrying a produce from one place to another. Rapid and reliable
transport of fresh fruits and vegetables is of critical importance to successful
marketing. The delay in transport not only affects shelf life and the quality of
fresh produce, but also reduces its value in the market. Transport is an
important link in the handling, storage and distribution of fruits and vegetables.
The transport of produce starts from the field to the assembly points or
collection centres. From these places, bulk transport is undertaken by retailers,
middlemen, wholesalers, processors, exporters and importers at packing
stations, storage plants and shipping points. Several modes of transport are
used to move fresh fruits and vegetables from farm to final consumer.
They include head load, bullock carts, bicycle, rikshaw, autorikshaw, lorry, boat,
ship and aeroplane. All these methods have their own advantages and
disadvantages. Head load is mostly used for moving small quantities to a
nearby market. This mode of transport is usually in practice in interior areas
where proper roads are not available. Bullock Carts, Bicycle, rikshaw and
autorikshaw are also used for short distance transport, but adequate cushioning
should be provided to the transporting material for avoiding impact damage to
fruits and vegetables in such mode of transport. Boats are used for inland
transport, where as ships carry produce globally. High value products and the
most perishables are always air lifted to the destination market. Knowledge of
these pros and cons of each mode of transportation will help us to select the
suitable mode of transport for an individual commodity.
Modes of Transport:
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The most common transport used world wide, and because of its flexibility,
door-to-door delivery, fast, easy to load and unload; and general improvement
in road conditions its use has been in rise. However, this method is energy
intensive, expensive and needs a relatively developed road infrastructure.
In our country land transport is mostly done with open non refrigerated trucks.
It results in high losses of produce due to warming. But for short distance
transport natural ventilation is always sufficient to prevent losses due to
heating. It is advisable to use refrigerated van for long distance transport.
Transport by road is the most important, and will continue to be the
predominant mode of transport in the developing countries. It offers the
benefits of great flexibility in operation, suitability for short hauls and possible
door-to-door service with all the implied conveniences of loading and
unloading. However, it depends upon road conditions, transport service
available and organization of transport services. Connecting roads may be
inaccessible during rainy months and bridges may become unsafe. Because of
inadequate roads, high freight rates may be charged to transporters.
Another difficulty is that in produce transported by public vehicles, handlers
and passengers have no regard for the safety and quality of the product. Often,
if commodities are carried together with passengers, public vehicles deviate
from direct routes to get more passengers, and there is delay in transport.
For more systematic and advanced transport facilities, e.g. refrigerated truck
vans, are required. Although, use of modern facilities will increase the cost of
the product in the markets, it can be compensated by supply of quality product
to the consumers. For short trips, the product can be washed, disinfected,
dipped in cold water and immediately placed in ice cold insulated vans.
Sometimes the short periods transport can be done in a non-refrigerated but
pre-cooled vehicle also. If the distance to the market is such that product
temperature would be undesirably high despite provision for pre-cooling and
insulation, dispensable refrigerants such as ice, dry ice, eutectic solutions or
liquid nitrogen may be used. Application of these refrigerants depends not only
on the duration of trip and transport temperature but also on the cost and
availability of the refrigerant. If still longer transport time is expected, then the
use of mechanical refrigerating machinery in the vehicle should be done.
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Use of air transport is very limited despite its speed due to:
a) the high cost per kg,
b) disruption of flight schedules due to bad weather,
c) traffic in handling of produce at air terminals,
d) the distance from the production or consignment centres to the airport and
then from the airport to the market upon arrival at destination.
e) uncertain amount of cargo space available on scheduled flights and
With the advent of jet and jumbo planes, however, air transport offers vast
possibilities.
The lower operating cost per ton/km with even faster schedules
has already resulted in an increase in air-transported fruit and vegetables.
Prospect of air transport should not be evaluated solely on the basis of reduced
operating cost, but also on the gains from premium consumer prices due to
better quality of vine- or tree-ripened produce. Airport product-handling
facilities and ancillary services are expected to improve as a result of current
developments in aviation technology.
Let us sum up:
Transport of fresh produce is necessary to make sure its availability to the consumers. Although several methods of transport are available, a suitable method is selected based on value of the crop and distance of market. It is of paramount importance to have proper handling before and during transport to avoid any injury to the produce and to have more shelf life.
References:
1. Kader, A.A. (1992). Post-harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops.
University of California Publication No 3311, Oakland, Calf.
2. Pantastico, Er. B. (1975) Post-harvest physiology, handling and utilization
of tropical and subtropical fruits and vegetables. AVI Pub. Co. Inc.,
Westport, Connecticut
3. Ryall, A.L. and Lipton, W.J. (1979) Handling, Transportation and Storage
of fruits and vegetables. Vol. 1, Fruits and Nuts, AVI Pub. Co.
4. Ryall, A.L. and Lipton, W.J. (1979) Handling, Transportation and Storage
of fruits and vegetables. Vol. 2, 2nd Ed. − Vegetables and Melons. AVI
Pub. Co.
5. Salunkhe, D.K. and Desai, B.B., Boca Raton, N.W. (1984) Post-harvest
biotechnology of vegetables. Vol. 1 and 2, CRC Press, Inc., Florida,
6. Salunkhe, D.K., Kadam, S.S. (1995) Handbook of fruit science and
technology: Production, composition, storage, and processing. Marcel
Dekker, Inc. 270 Madison Avenue, New York, New York.
7. Salunkhe, D.K., Kadam, S.S. (1998) Handbook of vegetable science and
technology: Production, composition, storage, and processing, Marcel
Dekker Inc. 270 Madison Avenue, New York, New York.
8. Weichman, J. and Basel (1987) Post-harvest physiology of vegetable.
Marcel Dekker Inc., New York
9. Wills, R.B.H., Lee, T.H., Graham, D., McGlasson, W.B. and Hall, E.G.
(1981) Post-harvest: An introduction to the physiology and handling of
fruits and vegetables. AVI Publishing Co. Westport, Conn.
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