Identifying causes of mechanical defects and critical control points in fruit supply chains: an overview of a banana supply chain Online publication date: Sat, 05-Jul-2014
by Lesley Macheka; Ruth Tambudzai Ngadze; Faith Angeline Manditsera; Juliet Mubaiwa; Robert Musundire
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI), Vol. 3, No. 2, 2013
Abstract: The issue of food losses is of high importance in the efforts to combat hunger, raise income and improve food security in many developing countries. Therefore, there is need to minimise food losses in agri-food supply chains. This study was conducted with the aim to identify causes of mechanical defects in banana fruit supply chain in Zimbabwe and to also establish critical control points at which incidence of the mechanical fruit defects can be minimised in the chain. Data was gathered through interviews and participatory observation. Most of the causes of mechanical defects were found to be due to poor handling at the different stages in the chain. Propping, maturity at harvest, handling during harvesting and packing, and control of temperature and relative humidity during fruit ripening were established as critical control points at which incidence of mechanical damage can be minimised.
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