Survey and analysis of postharvest practices: A case study of fruit market, Islamabad

Abstract

In Pakistan, fruits and vegetables lose 20–40% of their value after harvest, and sometimes even more. This enormous percentage of losses points to insufficient post-harvest handling procedures and a subpar value chain management system, which hurts every link in the value chain financially and drives up consumer prices. This study examined the postharvest handling and management strategies used in Islamabad's fruit and vegetable market, which receives both imported and locally produced fruit from all provinces. According to the survey, the local fruits were frequently packed in shoddy cardboard boxes and wooden crates made of low-grade packaging material. These boxes frequently had dimensions that were inappropriate for the kind of fruit that was being packed inside of them. The appearance of the fruit products was adversely affected by the sturdy construction and design of these boxes. The label's traceability and product information were inadequate. In a similar vein, these fruits were transported in cars devoid of any kind of cooling system or specially designed interior to guard against travel injuries. The cold storage facilities presented another difficulty because they were not designed specifically for the storage of fruit products and had insufficient capacity. Conversely, imported fruits, particularly those from developed nations such as France and New Zealand, were packaged in an eye-catching, long-lasting, and customized manner that included comprehensive information and traceability protocols. Reefer containers were used to carry these imported goods. The impact of these policies was evident in the pricing disparity between imported and local fruits. While local varieties ranged in price from Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 per box (16-18 kg), Granny Smith apples imported from France were retailing for Rs 10,000 for 100 apples. Imported citrus and grapes from Iran, Egypt, and India were more expensive but of higher quality. To guarantee food security and boost the competitiveness of local fruit products on the global market, it is imperative to raise the bar for value chain and post-harvest management practices. It will assist the nation in generating significant foreign exchange and reducing its import expenses.