How is the transport of citrus fruit organised?
Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarins) are some of the most demanding foodstuffs. Their quality largely depends on how they are stored and transported, which is why high standards are so important. The transport of citrus fruit organised by Greenyard Logistics Poland is carried out by land and sea using refrigerated containers and refrigerated trucks.
The refrigerated conditions allow the freshness of the citrus fruit to be prolonged as much as possible. The transport of this type of fruit is also based on the following principles and activities:
- sorting and packing – the method of storage and packing should ensure protection from mechanical damage and reduce the risk of friction between the fruit. When damage is noticed, the sorting staff must remove the fruit from transport;
- fitting of packaging – containers should be adequately ventilated to ensure air circulation, which is important to maintain the freshness of the fruit. For long-distance transport, pallets or crates with ventilation holes are usually used;
- control of temperature conditions and air quality – citrus fruit cannot be stored at too low temperatures as they can be damaged through freezing. In the case of oranges, for example, a range close to the freezing level is used, i.e. 0–3°C. Excessive moisture in the cargo space is also avoided, as excess moisture leads to mould growth and spoilage of the fruit.
