Many people take for granted in modern 21st-century life how much work goes into making the world run smoothly and conveniently, especially in the world of logistics. This is especially true with the less commonly discussed considerations, such as shipping temperature-sensitive products.
Fruit is at the top of the list when shipping temperature-sensitive products and is extremely delicate and prone to bruising if improperly handled. This is one reason why, despite fruit being one of the most common types of cargo moved worldwide, care needs to be taken to preserve freshness and integrity.
There are three factors to consider when shipping temperature-sensitive products like fruit.
Ultraviolet Radiation
While sunlight feels warm and comforting, everyone knows that too much exposure to it can lead to sunburn. The same care that people exercise with their own skin when it comes to over-exposure must also be used with fruit. As with any organic material, such as skin, fruit responds badly to too much ultraviolet radiation, which is a primary component of natural sunlight.
As such, fruit needs to be stored in an area that is kept out of direct sun exposure, especially if the cargo remains there for several hours—or even days—or the shipment itself must be in containers that keep the fruit in the dark.
Physical Protection
One of the selling points of fruit is that it is healthy and is soft, and malleable because it is food. However, this also means that it is prone to damage far more easily than a typical paper or plastic product, like a book or a toy, which are both more robust and durable during shipment.
Fruit must be properly contained so that it does not suffer much from impact or contact with other objects. There are various options depending on the length of shipping and transportation used to ensure that fruit, when properly packed, arrives in good condition and can be transferred to a retail outlet for sale.
Temperature Maintenance
This is perhaps the most important factor, as fruit is one of the more delicate items when it comes to shipping temperature-sensitive products. The key to preserving fruit for shipment is lowering the temperature and then maintaining that lowered temperature from one end of the shipping process to the final delivery.
It’s here that products like SureTemp pallet covers or StratoFoil pallet covers can make a critical difference in ensuring the maximum viability of cargo. These forms of temperature maintenance are perfect for long-haul shipments since they are highly efficient passive temperature systems rather than requiring more expensive electrically powered systems to maintain climate control. When properly utilized, they stabilize the temperature of fruit at the initial levels established before shipping and keep them that way without needing any extra effort or maintenance. They’ll take care of themselves.
If you’re interested in buying or even leasing SureTemp pallet covers, contact us and let us know your needs. We’ll be happy to find the right solution for you that protects your cargo, enhances your business reputation, and keeps your products intact even when the unexpected happens.
