Storage isn't cold - waste of fruits and vegetables

Improved transportation methods and cold storage facilities are key issues that need serious consideration when handling fruits. This is because fruits are perishable and therefore need to be transported and stored in ways that maintain their freshness and nutritional value. This is particularly true for imported fruits that have to be transported over long distances.

According to food marketers, at least 40% of fruit produce destined to the market goes to waste because of poor storage, improper handling and unfriendly transportation methods. Indeed, only 25 of all the 70 warehouses in Hyderabad are properly equipped to handle fruits.

The sad fact is corroborated by Mr. Tarun Arora, a renowned food analyst who points out that the southern and western regions of India including the states of Telangana and Gujarat that experience temperatures as high as 44º C due to humid conditions brought about by tropical type of climate record more fruit wastage than other regions.

This calls for the serious need to improve cold storage facilities of which cold room suppliers can play a major role in having the right cold storage facilities for transportation, storage and preservation of fruits. This will not only help in minimizing waste but will also go along way in addressing microorganisms that also damage fruits.

The major area where cold room suppliers need to focus on is how to safely transport fruits from one location to another. According to Mr. Madhu Nair, another food analyst, this is an area that requires immediate attention because demand for fruits has increased by at least 30%, an increase that is directly linked to high transportation and preservation costs.

Available statistics indicate that India imported 3.5 lakh metric tones of fruits in 2015. These were stored in 6,300 cold storage facilities spread across the country. According to a high-ranking food inspector, the cold storage facilities are not up to the required standards, which also contribute to wastage of stored fruits.

The food inspector points out the sorry state of cold storage facilities in Hyderabad where only 25 cold storage facilities of the 70 are functional with the rest experiencing system failures on a regular basis. He emphasizes that the increased wastage of fruits can only be addressed through maintenance of low temperatures.

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