Moving fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm to distribution locations is crucial and requires multiple stages of transportation. When not transported safely, transporting fresh produce exposes them to physical damage, chemical alteration, and microbial contamination.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 60% of fruits and vegetables are wasted and end up in landfills. Global food waste totaled 1.4 billion tons in 2021 and was responsible for 11% of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases.
Factors affecting fruits and vegetables during transportation
Fresh produce, especially those with soft skins or juicy flesh, including tomatoes, leafy greens, and peaches, are more prone to diseases from both plants and people. A bruised fruit, infected spots, or overripe shouldn’t be transported. Before transferring fresh produce, ensure quality sorting of produce to eliminate low-quality ones from the transfer containers.
The quality of vegetables and other commodities can greatly influence temperature and humidity. The temperature friend zone, defined as the range of temperatures between (40°C – 140°C ), is where many pathogens develop quickly. Numerous infections present in produce can be controlled by cooling it as soon as it is picked and preserving it cool during storage and transportation. Read below the temperature and humidity recommendations for the safe storage and transport of fresh produce.
Temperature and humidity for vegetables transport and storage
The best temperature recommended for safe vegetable transportation can be divided into three sub-categories of low, mid, and high, with a temperature range of 0°C – 18°C.
- List of vegetables that require a low temperature of 0°C to 2°C and 90 -98% humidity
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- List of vegetables that require a mid-temperature of 7°C to 10°C and 85 -95% humidity
- Eggplants
- Cucumbers
- Okra
- Peppers
- Beans
- List of vegetables that require a high temperature of 13°C to 18°C and 85 -95% humidity
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Squash
Temperature and humidity for fruits transport and storage
| Temperature and humidity for fruits | Common Fruits |
|---|---|
| Low-temperature and high-humid fruits 0°C to 2°C and 90 -98% | Peaches Strawberries Blackberries Raspberries Cut fruits |
| Mid-temperature and mid-humid fruits 7°C to 10°C and 85 -95% | Citrus Watermelons Passion fruits |
| High-temperature and mid-humid fruits 13°C to 18°C and 85 -95% | Canary melons Honeydew melons Zucchini |
How to transport fresh vegetables
Trucks, trailers, carts, and tractors are frequently used in some locations to move fresh farm produce. The majority of the time, the farm product becomes bruised due to the conditions of these transporting mediums. Fresh vegetables with bruises are more susceptible to infections and chemical changes. Fresh produce that has been bruised may not pass routine inspection and will either be rejected or result in a loss for the farmer.
Make sure the truck is physically fit before moving farm-fresh goods. A well-maintained vehicle should not bruise the skin of the vegetables it is hauling, which lowers their quality and adds to microbial infection. Remember that poor-quality fresh product does not draw customers and does not remain on the shelf for long.
Most importantly, before placing the product in the truck, it must be placed in baskets and containers designed to transport fresh fruit and veg. Utilizing designated containers helps keep fresh produce in good condition and free of microbial contamination, extending the shelf life of farm products and bringing in higher prices from customers.
Another factor to also consider when using a truck to transport fresh produce, make sure the truck has not been used in carrying farm animals, farm waste, or anything likely to contaminate the vegetable. Even if you must use the truck for all other purposes, disinfect, clean, and make it microbial-infection-free before transporting fruits and vegetables.
Key Takeaways
- Best ways to transport fruits and vegetables:
- You must know the right temperature and humidity for safe storage and transport.
- Disinfect trucks to carry fresh produce to avoid contamination.
- Avoid bruises on the skin of fresh produce.
- Use designated containers to transport fresh produce.
- Keep the fresh produce away from the open sun.
- Store in a cool, dry place in the transport medium.
