FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
be utilised to avoid fluctuations
in temperatures. Temperature
fluctuations normally occur during
the stuffing, loading, off-loading
and transhipment processes.
These movements must be done
seamlessly without temperature
fluctuations.
The extent of the wastage is
evaluated when poor quality
perishable products arrive within
importing countries. If the product
can be salvaged, then sound
quality products are repacked
for the market or for processing
purposes and the balance of the
product is dumped. The entire
consignment is dumped if it is
totally in a state of poor quality. The
deterioration of the product must
be evaluated to determine the root
cause and preventative measures
should be implemented to avoid
further losses.
Importing countries have their
own unique requirements for
packaging, labelling and packing.
These requirements must be
adhered to should importers and
exporters wish to conduct business
within these markets. South Africa
exports some of their products
to destinations with extremely
stringent labelling and packing
requirements. Some of these
labelling requirements are printed
in the language of the importing
country. These labelling standards
must be adhered to because
they form part of the bi-lateral
agreements between the importing
and exporting countries.
Foreign markets dictate their
importing requirements. South
Africa is required to align its
processes to ensure compliance
should they intend to participate
in these export programmes. The
compliance to stringent importing
quality, phytosanitary and food
safety requirements is highly costly
for the South African agricultural
industry, says Vijan Chetty, general
manager: coastal of the PPECB.
All countries have regulations
relating to their import requirements.
Quality, phytosanitary, food safety
and labelling requirements are
some of the importing requirements.
Consumers want
grapes when they
want it and want to
squeeze orange juice
from fresh oranges
whenever they
feel like it and not
necessarily when the
fruit is in season.
All documentation and duties
must be submitted to the relevant
authorities (SARS). The applicable
permits must be submitted to
the authorities and the relevant
inspections conducted.
There are different modes of
transport available to import and
export perishable products. They
are air freight, sea (containers and
specialised refrigerated vessels),
road (refrigerated trucks) and rail.
The choice is highly dependent
on logistical arrangements,
infrastructure and efficiencies. Cost
is not always the determining factor
when choosing a suitable mode
of transport. Although air freight
in general is more costly than sea
freight, importers and exporters
opt to use airfreight for products
with short shelf life. All modes of
transport for perishable products
have their advantages and
disadvantages.
Importers and exporters must
be aware of the local regulations
regarding imports and exports. The
local authorities are best in guiding
importers and exporters of these
requirements. Within South Africa
the Perishable Products Export
Control Board (PPECB) advises the
industry of the export requirements
of perishable products.
Technological advancement
is impacting refrigeration. New
technologies and equipment
are being developed to improve
effectiveness and efficiencies.
Modern refrigeration units can cool
products from ambient to optimum
temperature in a shorter period.
Real-time information, traceability,
effective monitoring, reduced cost
and emissions has been introduced
into these technological
advancements.
Most of the packaging and
labelling requirements are
contained in legislation. In addition
to the requirements in plant health,
food safety and quality legislation,
food may be required by private
standards of retailers to have
additional labelling, for example
organic certification.
Distance (trade cost) and
refrigeration plays an important
role in choosing transportation
mode. Fruit and vegetables are
shipped via sea by means of
New technologies and equipment are being developed to improve effectiveness and effi-
ciencies of refrigeration.
COLD LINK AFRICA •
OCTOBER 2019
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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