ÔFragile' vegetables to move by sea FRAGILE VEGETABLES such as asparagus will soon be transported by sea and arrive fresh at their destination as a result of more advanced technology introduced into the Transfresh supply of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) reefer containers.
Until now this type of agricultural product could only be transported by air. But, says Dr Malcolm Dodd, Transfresh Africa md, this new development will soon open enormous export possibilities for all types of exotic fruit and vegetables.
The CA system is based on modifying the atmosphere around perishable fruit and vegetables, with Transfresh currently servicing an average of 40 CA containers per week to European destinations.
One area where growth demand has exceeded expectations is in locally grown avocados, where 174 forty-foot containers of avocados were dispatched to Europe last year, a figure which is expected to increase to at least 500.
Together with apples, avocados are currently our most popular export products as they transport particularly well in CA containers, says Dr Dodd.
The major advantages of the new technology is that it reduces discoloration and shrivel, minimises decay (by inhibiting the ability of organisms to attack the produce) and also maintains freshness, quality, appearance and nutrient value.
