Why Pre-Cool your Fresh Produce Cargo?

Pre-cooling is a crucial step in the post-harvest handling of fresh produce. By rapidly reducing the temperature of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, pre-cooling helps to extend their shelf life, maintain quality, and minimize losses during transportation and storage.

However, based on industry trends and expert studies, a rough estimate could range up to 40% of fresh produce cargo skip this step. Fresh produce exporters are skipping this vital step due to factors including short-distance shipping, developing regions with less advanced infrastructure may rely more on traditional transportation methods that don’t involve pre-cooling, and lastly, the cost of pre-cooling can be a significant factor, especially for smaller-scale producers.

Why Pre-Cool Your Produce?

1. Pre-cooling significantly reduces the rate of respiration and ripening, helping to maintain the freshness and quality of the produce.
2. By lowering the temperature, pre-cooling helps to reduce moisture loss, preserving the produce’s weight and appearance.
3. Pre-cooled produce is less susceptible to physical damage, such as bruising and breakage, during handling and transportation.
4. Lower temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria and fungi, reducing the risk of spoilage.
5. Pre-cooled produce requires less energy to maintain optimal storage temperatures during transport.

Failing to pre-cool your produce can have significant consequences:

• Product Loss: Spoilage and damage while in transit can lead to significant losses in terms of quantity and quality.
• Customer Dissatisfaction: Rejected shipments can damage your reputation and lead to lost business.
• Financial Loss: Shipping lines may reject claims for damaged goods if pre-cooling was not performed.

At Recoupex, we understand the importance of pre-cooling and its impact on the success of your export business. If your shipment is damaged due to improper handling or storage while in transit, we can help you recover your losses. Our team of experts will work diligently to assess your claim, gather evidence, and negotiate with the carrier to ensure you receive fair compensation.