Shipping perishable items always provides a challenge to transportation companies, but produce like fruits and vegetables can be especially complex. Since they are for human consumption, they are more highly regulated than other cargo and require a lot more due diligence prior to transportation. Also, not only are they impacted by temperature, humidity, and excess vibrations, which can lead to damage and rot, they are also prone to disease and pests. Transportation damage can cost a lot of money, so it is important that you take the steps to mitigate these risks.
Produce Transportation Needs
Whether you are transporting across the country in a tractor reefer trailer or shipping by ocean liner freight, produce needs certain types of protection including:
- Temperature regulation of the cargo to protect against external heat and freezing that can destroy the produce
- Temperature control to prevent the spread of pests like fruit flies and diseases like blossom end rot or tipburn
- Humidity regulation to prevent rot from mold and bacteria
- Padding to absorb friction from bumps and shaking that can bruise delicate produce
- Proper air flow and a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide to prevent over-ripening
Meeting these needs during transportation is crucial to ensure that your produce cargo arrives intact and in market conditions.
Container Blankets Can Help Protect Produce
Pallet covers like the SureTemp Insulating Container Blanket in Bubble can help ensure that you meet all your produce shipping needs. The bubble texture of the cover provides extra padding against any bumps or shifting during transportation that can damage your cargo. They maintain the cold chain and protect against heat, freezing temperatures, and issues with convection that can block airflow and foster the production of bacteria, mold, and pests. They also help maintain dry cargo and prevent the excess buildup of moisture that can also cause problems for fruits and vegetables. Finally, they eliminate the need for chemical fumigation which can risk your cargo if done incorrectly and reduce the market value of your produce.
Shipping fruits and vegetables is a complicated process, but ProTek cargo can help. Our line of SureTemp Insulating Container Blankets are easy to use, add value to your fleet, and protect your most perishable cargo. So if you are thinking of expanding into shipping fruits and vegetables or are having issues protecting your produce cargo, contact us today to learn more about how our container blanket can help save you money.
