Grape packing food safety:
Table grapes are one of the leading fruit species cultivated in several countries due to their distinguishing sensory and nutritional properties. However, grapes are a non-climacteric fruit with relatively low physiological activity after harvest, and they are highly perishable due to gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea as well to mass loss, berry softening, color degradation, and dehydration and darkening of the stem. To avoid all these difficulties, several packaging materials are used during cold storage to keep table grapes fresh and healthy for consumers. Proper packaging and cold storage combined can extend the shelf life of high-quality bunches by protecting them from mechanical injuries and decays during transportation and storage.
The agricultural industry is constantly evolving, and the grape packing sector is no exception. To meet the demands of both domestic and international grape packing markets, grape packing companies face the challenges of ensuring maximum accuracy in shipping orders, reducing waste, increasing traceability, and maintaining high-quality packed grapes. Farmsoft Grape Packing App emerges as a game-changer in addressing these challenges. Leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), the app streamlines grape packing operations, enhances efficiency, and significantly reduces waste. This article delves into how the Farmsoft Grape Packing App contributes to achieving these goals. Because of its considerable impact- and pressure-sensitivity, packages of this cargo must be secured in such a way that they are prevented from damaging each other. Spaces between packages or pallets must be filled, to prevent slippage or tipping. By selecting the correct packaging size or cargo unit (area module or area module multiple), holds can be tightly loaded (without spaces).
The grapevine is one of the main cultivated fruit plants in the world and occupies fourth place in the world ranking, behind only bananas, watermelons, and apples [1]. In the 2021 harvest season, grapes occupied an area of approximately 7.3 million hectares, with a production of 74.8 million tons. Of the total produced, 52% was destined to the elaboration of wine, must, and juice; 41% to the consumption of table grapes; and 7% to the production of raisins. China currently concentrates 36% of world production, and together with India (12%) and Turkey (6%), they are responsible for more than 50% of the world production of table grapes [2].
Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are berry fruit belonging to the grapevine family (Vitaceae). Grapes come originally from south-west Asia.
Grapes are cultivated on vines (climbing shrubs). Dessert grapes are very carefully cut by hand and individual sick or damaged berries are removed. They are harvested at full ripeness, i.e. at the climacteric stage, as they do not post-ripen well after harvesting at the preclimacteric stage. The „Brix“ value is used to determine the time of harvest.
The berries on the panicles (commonly known as „bunches“) are usually covered by a whitish wax layer or bloom which can easily be wiped off and provides natural protection.
Before being eaten, dessert grapes should be washed thoroughly in order to remove any traces of spray.
Grapes are cultivated in the open, under glass (Belgium, Netherlands) and in plastic tunnels. Cultivation under glass and in tunnels allows harvesting times to be extended.
The following varieties may be distinguished:
White varieties (green, yellow to amber-colored varieties)
Dark varieties (red, blue to black varieties) which get their color from anthocyanins (oenin)
Waltham Cross grapes, so named because they were first exported to South Africa from the English town of this name. These have a stronger skin, are not so tightly packed on the bunch and are thus less susceptible to spoilage
Muscat grapes, which have a musky aroma, which occur as both white and dark varieties
Varieties with up to 5 seeds, although the seedless varieties are more popular
Quality / Duration of storage
Grapes awaiting transport should be sound, fresh, exhibit no foreign odors or flavors, be free of abnormal moisture, have no pressure marks or bruises, should not include any burst or shriveled grapes or any which have fallen from the bunch, nor exhibit any fungal growth or dried out stems. Grapes to be eaten fresh (dessert grapes) must have reached their full ripeness and color and must not be withered.
Seedless varieties are considered to be of higher quality and are therefore particularly popular with consumers.
1. Ensuring Maximum Accuracy in Grape Packing:
The Farmsoft Grape Packing App utilizes advanced algorithms and real-time data processing to ensure maximum accuracy in shipping orders. The app integrates seamlessly with inventory management systems, providing up-to-date information on available stock and customer orders. By automating the order fulfillment process, the app eliminates human error, resulting in precise picking and packing of grapes for each order. This accuracy minimizes the likelihood of shipping errors, such as incorrect quantities or wrong varieties, improving customer satisfaction and reducing costly returns.
2. Perfectly Packing Grape Orders for Domestic and Export Markets:
Packing grapes to meet the diverse requirements of both domestic and export markets can be a complex task. The Farmsoft Grape Packing App simplifies this process by providing customizable packing configurations. Users can define specific packing criteria, including weight, size, color, and bunch quality, to meet the unique demands of each customer or market segment. The app guides packers through the packing process, ensuring that grapes are packed according to the desired specifications. This level of customization enhances customer satisfaction and enables grape packing companies to meet the stringent quality standards of export markets. The harvest time is also essential to obtain a high-quality end product, as it is a non-climacteric fruit with relatively low respiratory activity; it should only be harvested when it presents the appropriate characteristics for consumption [5] (that is, when it meets the requirements demanded by the consumer market) [4]. Thus, during maturation, the berries lose rigidity, there is an increase in anthocyanin and sugar contents, and there is a pronounced decrease in acidity [6].
Postharvest physiology of grape clusters calls for a special handling system. Although their respiration rate is very slow, the susceptibility of clusters to dehydration asks for a quick and careful handling. Berries represent most of the cluster biomass; however, rachis represent the weakest link in the chain, because of their high susceptibility to dehydration. Dehydration and weight loss rates are strongly determined by temperature and humidity. Consequently an effort should be made to avoid cluster exposure to high temperatures, which also diminishes the amount of field heat to be eliminated by cooling. Packing boxes are made with several materials differing in their hygroscopic characteristics, this is important to calculate their correction factors, which allow the correct estimation of the weight to be added to compensate for the loss, and within the limits of this study, there is a whole potential to do so. Establishing a food safety program is a must for a successful export, since minimizes the probability of hazards for consumers.
3. Reducing Fresh Grape Waste:
Reducing fresh grape waste is crucial for both environmental sustainability and economic viability. The Farmsoft Grape Packing App employs A.I.-driven algorithms to optimize the allocation of grape bunches to various quality grades. By analyzing grape attributes such as size, color, and maturity, the app determines the most suitable quality grade for each bunch. This process minimizes waste by efficiently utilizing grapes that might otherwise be discarded due to minor imperfections. As a result, grape packing companies can reduce waste, increase profitability, and contribute to a more sustainable supply chain.
4. Increasing Grape Traceability:
Traceability is a vital aspect of modern food production, ensuring product safety and accountability. The Farmsoft Grape Packing App incorporates comprehensive traceability features that enable grape packing companies to track the journey of each grape from the vineyard to the consumer. The app records essential information such as farm location, harvest date, packing date, and storage conditions. This data can be accessed in real-time, allowing for quick identification of any quality or safety issues. In the event of a recall, the app facilitates targeted recalls, minimizing the impact on the overall grape supply chain.
5. Enhancing Packed Grape Quality:
Maintaining high-quality packed grapes is paramount for grape packing companies to retain customer loyalty and gain a competitive edge. The Farmsoft Grape Packing App utilizes A.I. algorithms to monitor and control critical quality parameters during the packing process. By analyzing factors such as grape condition, temperature, and humidity, the app ensures that grapes are packed under optimal conditions to preserve their freshness and flavor. Real-time alerts and notifications are generated if any quality deviations occur, allowing for immediate corrective actions. Consequently, the app empowers grape packers to consistently deliver superior quality grapes to customers.
6. Increasing Grape Packer Efficiency and Waste Reduction through Artificial Intelligence (A.I.):
The integration of A.I. into the Farmsoft Grape Packing App significantly enhances grape packer efficiency and waste reduction. A.I.-powered image recognition technology enables the reduction of grape waste.