Moves to pack perishable cargo closer to its source have significantly reduced the cold chain risk in the South African fruit sector. Over recent years the process has gained ground, allowing fruit exporters to pack directly into refrigerated containers at the farm, or very close by, which ensures the best cold chain practice is implemented from start to finish. According to Paul March, managing director of Horizon Underwriting Managers, perishable products by their very nature are high risk. “The South African cold chain, however, is generally very good,” he said. “When we do see claims it’s because of other factors and not necessarily cold chain failure.” March advised exporters to use well-known and reputable facilities and service providers. “Cold chain facilities play a vital role and it is critical that exporters make sure they pay enough attention to the detail around the facilities and what they offer. Often it is this lack of detail that will impact on a claim settlement.” Using grapes as an example, March said just going from minus half a degree Celsius to plus 2 degrees can dramatically reduce the shelf life of the fruit and therefore the achieved sale price in the overseas market. “It is important to make sure that the systems that chill the produce and keep the cold chain intact are well documented and reliable throughout the voyage.” March told FTW that packing at source into refrigerated containers reduced the handling of the product from the farm to final destination. “The margin for error is far less,” he said, while it also led to better quality fruit arriving in export markets.
CAPTION
When we do see claims it’s because of other factors and not necessarily cold chain failure. – Paul March
