Even with the hard work of growing and harvesting done, there’s still a long way to go before fresh vegetables are ready for the palates of consumers. While shipping consumables like fresh vegetables might seem straightforward enough, many steps need to be taken to ensure proper storage, safe haulage, and minimal waste.
Robust inspection processes prior to shipping will help identify any vegetables that are unfit for human consumption, protecting the health of the end-user and ensuring as little spoilage as possible. What’s more, proper packaging protects goods from exposure to external factors.
Suitable packaging can safeguard stored contents against the elements, while also ensuring pests are kept at bay. Proper vegetable transport not only ensures foodstuffs remain fit for human consumption, but it also helps protect the bottom line by avoiding unnecessary spoilage and waste.
Ensuring vegetables arrive at their destination in quality condition is simple enough, provided a few key steps have been taken. For starters, all vegetables need to be thoroughly cleaned after harvesting. This ensures any harmful contaminants are removed, protecting larger batches from spoilage. Vegetables then need to be sorted, with subpar specimens discounted from final shipping batches.
Additionally, extra care should be taken when packing goods. Fresh vegetables can be very delicate, with the potential for crushing and bruising. Both can render vegetables unfit for dinner plates, damaging profit margins. As such, it’s important to choose durable packaging that’s robust enough to protect stored vegetables from exactly this kind of damage. The best packaging solutions also encourage optimal air circulation, helping keep moisture to a minimum to preserve freshness.
Looking for premium packaging solutions for storing and transporting fresh produce like vegetables? There are many options available to you. Firstly, there are small polypropylene (PP) bags to consider. As well as being a cost-effective and sustainable choice, small PP bags have also been deemed food-safe, making them an obvious choice for the agricultural sector.
Planning on using larger containers to transport fresh vegetables? Food-grade agricultural container liners are an ideal choice, protecting contents from external factors and helping stave off contamination. Bags made from ventilated fabric are another smart choice when readying fresh vegetables for transport. Designed to ensure optimal ventilation, these bags help keep food fresh while preserving flavor and nutrients.
Alternatively, there are dust-proof bags. Ideal for storing and transporting large volumes of loose consumables like coffee and tea, dust-proof bags can also be used to ship things like unprocessed grains and many types of fresh vegetables.
Poor ventilation can quickly render an entire crop of products unsuitable for consumption. This makes temperature and humidity control a key concern when transporting fresh vegetables over long distances. Fortunately, several solutions exist to help keep foodstuffs at optimal temperature and avoid spoilage.
Refrigerated trucks are one of the most commonly deployed tactics to take charge of temperature control, especially when transporting goods across borders and considerable distances. Meanwhile, smart solutions like temperature and humidity monitors can be used to keep track of the internal conditions of packaging.
There are several key types of refrigerated vehicles that are suited to transporting fresh vegetables and other produce. Freezer vans are a good choice for smaller hauls, keeping food fresh during shorter journeys. For long-distance shipping, reefer containers are another option.
These spacious containers are designed to accommodate vast quantities of refrigerated cargo, making them a good choice for international journeys.
Alternatively, there are reefer trailers. A go-to choice for transporting perishable cargo, reefer trailers are generously proportioned to carry large amounts of cargo once secured to a semi-truck. Finally, there are refrigerated boxcars. An obvious solution for cargo that needs to be transported via rail, they’re one of the best choices for transporting perishable freight like vegetables over long distances.
Many types of vegetables are prone to bruising, while softer produce is easily crushed if not handled correctly during loading and stacking. To ensure produce arrives in optimal condition, you’ll need to ensure you’re using the right type of packaging. Whether it’s wooden crates or plastic trays, packaging should be easy to handle and robust enough to protect the produce it’s carrying.
Care also needs to be deployed during packing itself. Overfilling should be avoided, as this causes bruising, with items packed so that they avoid rubbing together as much as possible. Stacking is another key area you’ll need to focus on. When stacking containers, make sure enough can circulate around stored produce. This will keep contents cool while preventing humidity levels from rising and damaging perishables.
When loading containers, use a centerline pattern. During loading, take care not to puncture bags or knock pallets together, and secure any containers with braces to sidewalls. Finally, load restraints can be used to ensure produce is prosperity secured in transit.
When transporting fresh produce like vegetables over long distances, special care has to be taken when it comes to pre-transport preparation. Without this, there’s no guarantee that produce will arrive at its destination with flavor and quality preserved. Worse still, improper storage can lead to spoilage and render vegetables unfit for consumption.
Before readying vegetables for transport, produce should be thoroughly cleaned, with any contaminants removed. You’ll also need to ensure you’re using a refrigerated vehicle that offers sufficiently low temperatures, with integrated temperature and humidity levels helping ensure optimal conditions when transporting goods. Now you know how to store and transport vegetables, choosing the right packaging solutions is also important. Protection of produce and durability are key factors here if you’re looking to maintain high levels of quality.
Looking for the perfect packaging for storing and transporting fresh vegetables and other consumables? Codefine can help. Since the 1950s, we’ve been providing the agricultural sector with a wide variety of sustainable packaging solutions. Why not explore the full product range online today or get in touch with any queries?
See how our products can improve your operations and drive your success.
Get in touch to find out how Codefine can support your business with tailored solutions and expert guidance.
