PROJECT
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN rooms for precooling . Fresh produce is then sorted and packaged at 17 ° C with minimum retention time , then further cooled at the cooled room , ready for next day transit to the airport in refrigerated trucks .
HOW INSTAVEG BENEFITS FROM ITS MODULAR COLD STORAGE FACILITIES
According to Instaveg ’ s director , Ashibon Mwangi , one of the most valuable features of their cooling structure is the quickness with which the packhouse environment cools down the internal temperature of its fresh produce , compared to the government-provided structure . As a result , the quality of produce from harvest to packaging and transit is steadily maintained . With the integration of efficient post-harvest cooling solutions , Instaveg has successfully maintained a consistent international food quality standard and amped its traceability . According to Mwangi , they have also cut down power costs by 30 %, despite cooling on an area cumulatively twice as large as on the initial government facility .
Mwangi also highlighted the competitive financing offer and the flexibility of payment that motivated them to choose InspiraFarms .
“ Our products are able to hold on shelf ; there has been over 50 % reduction in customer complaints and the same reduction in claims since we attained a complying packing facility . We are also using less power bills by 30 % despite cooling a bigger area ,” Mwangi confirmed .
Carel ’ s HumiDisk . Modular cold storage , pre-cooling and processing facility in Kenya .
At the core of the fresh produce industry lies the need for quality assurance and customer satisfaction . With the InspiraFarms cold storage all designed by considering the type of fruit and vegetables , Mwangi shares that they have since become BRC Certified with excellent food safety standards . The nature of their cooling system allows the Instaveg team to regulate temperatures and relative humidity , all customisable depending on crop needs , season and requirements .
“ We have received a lot of good feedback and our customers across Germany , United Kingdom , Dubai and France appreciate the fact that we pack from a complying facility which is certifiable by a milestone in regard to food safety ,” he added .
Instaveg plans to expand both local and international export markets using effective cold chain , traceability and food safety certification as cutting-edge tools . While their predominant high-value markets lie in export , their operations have opened to local ad hoc markets to further expand sales . In the future , they are looking to explore the global avocado markets . CLA
With the integration of efficient post-harvest cooling solutions , Instaveg has successfully maintained a consistent international food quality standard and amped its traceability .
28 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • May 2024