YML
Reefer Introduction and Guidance for Marketing/Sales
Fruit
and vegetables are living organisms, they respire
even after harvesting. Respiration is part of the natural ripening
process. During respiration, they generate heat and give off gases
and moisture that will speed up deterioration as well.
Controlling the following factors can reduce deterioration of perishables:
Cooling the temperature is the most
powerful and effective way to minimize deterioration. The faster the
proper temperature is reached, the longer the expected life of the
product. Cooling of fresh produce should begin as quickly as possible
after harvest. Reefer containers should not be used to reduce the
temperature of the cargo.
Instead, they are designed to maintain rather than to lower the temperature
of the cargo. Therefore, precooling all perishable products immediately
after harvest and before shipment or storage is essential.
Humidity
Relative humidity directly affects the quality
of almost all products. If humidity levels are too low, fruits,
vegetables and related products may wilt or shrivel. If relative
humidity is too high, mold may develop to deteriorate the cargo.
Ethylene
Another way to minimize deterioration
is to remove the ethylene gas. Ethylene, a self-generating fruit-
ripening regulator, is necessary for the ripening of fruits and vegetables.
However, it can also cause damage to various fruits, vegetables if
it is not controlled in minimal level. We can minimize and control
its accumulation by adequate ventilation.
Air
Circulation
Poor circulation can affect the commodity’s
temperature, relative humidity and ethylene accumulation. If
the air cannot circulate properly in the cold room or container,
shelf life of the product will be definitely affected
Package
and loading pattern
It is important that the packaging
must allow air to circulate freely through the commodity, around the
periphery of the container and in the area of the door. The important
criterion here is to have uniform distribution of air throughout the
load. This requires the cargo to be uniformly stowed. Different sized
packaging obviously dictates different stacking patterns. The dimensions
of loose cartons will inevitably not be sized to fit the container
exactly so the resulting gap must be kept in proper location.
Don't load pallets or cartons up to ceiling height, which will restrict
air flow along the return air passage over the top of the cargo to
the evaporator fan. Marine containers are marked with a height limit.
This should never be exceeded.
Where dissimilar sized packaging is used, or cargoes do not fill the
container fully, it is recommended that additional empty cartons or
some other material is used to fill up the void space so that the
airpassages remain uniform. In order to have optimal air circulation
and cooling effect. It's advisable to pack commodity with carton and
make holes in carboard all sides.
Following commodity loading pattern illustrated for your reference
( Fig1 ~ Fig5 ) :
Mixing
Products
Mixing fresh products
in a single reefer is very important in their compatibility. If carrying
temperature is too low or too high to one product could cause cargo
damage.
Shipper should also be aware
of the respiration levels and ethylene produced by the commodities
at certain temperatures and maturity levels and&their degree
of tolerance or sensitivity to those ethylene. Yang Ming is
glad to advise on suitable product mixes and you may refer to
the Compatibility of Fresh Products table for
further details.
