Articles
Utilizing real-time data loggers to improve export supply chains of fresh fruit from Australia
Article number
1395_30
Pages
225 – 232
Language
English
Abstract
Fruit growers and exporters can maximize their produce quality by utilizing new generation wireless SIM-based (3/4/5G) data loggers that are capable of measuring temperature, relative humidity, light, shock, and location in real time.
Loggers autonomously upload data when connected to mobile networks that can be viewed on smart devices or computers with no need to retrieve loggers.
Agriculture Victoria monitored over 150 sea and air freight consignments of table grapes, apples and stone fruit to Asian and European markets.
Excessive transit times are usually the main issue with sea freight thus good orchard and postharvest management is required including effective disease control, appropriate cultivar selection, optimum harvest maturity, use of stepwise cooling, and modified atmosphere packaging and effective temperature management along the cool chain.
Unforeseen delays during trans-shipping or at customs inspection points may inadvertently extend supply chain durations.
Border closures and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 reduced air freight services and interrupted freight forwarder schedules; however, even under normal supply chain conditions, temperature fluctuations of up to 15°C are not uncommon.
Monitoring transit conditions can help exporters redirect produce to other markets or inform importers to prioritise the consignment for rapid sale when poor temperature management is encountered.
Loggers autonomously upload data when connected to mobile networks that can be viewed on smart devices or computers with no need to retrieve loggers.
Agriculture Victoria monitored over 150 sea and air freight consignments of table grapes, apples and stone fruit to Asian and European markets.
Excessive transit times are usually the main issue with sea freight thus good orchard and postharvest management is required including effective disease control, appropriate cultivar selection, optimum harvest maturity, use of stepwise cooling, and modified atmosphere packaging and effective temperature management along the cool chain.
Unforeseen delays during trans-shipping or at customs inspection points may inadvertently extend supply chain durations.
Border closures and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 reduced air freight services and interrupted freight forwarder schedules; however, even under normal supply chain conditions, temperature fluctuations of up to 15°C are not uncommon.
Monitoring transit conditions can help exporters redirect produce to other markets or inform importers to prioritise the consignment for rapid sale when poor temperature management is encountered.
Authors
G.A. Hale, A.J. Macnish, T. Plozza, J.P. Lopresti
Keywords
cool chain, GPS, temperature, fresh produce, fruit quality
Groups involved
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Working Group Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards
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