Packaging of table grapes for exports from SA : a comparative study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Table grapes are the second-largest contributor to the perishable product export inSouth Africa. The table grape industry also experienced considerable growth in thepast ten years. The industry contributes toward employment in South Africa. TheSouth African table grape industry experiences quality-related problems withexporting table grapes to the European market. Examples of quality related problemscan range from chemical damage, chilling injury/freezing damage, heavy bruisingand decay. A great amount of table grapes is basically wasted. The postharvest lossof table grapes during transportation can range from 1%-25% per day depending onthe degree of temperature fluctuation. Therefore, it is important to minimize wasteand increase the export volumes in order to utilise the potential profit possibilities.Based on data analysis for this case, results indicated that packaging is preventingcool air from flowing through the pallet during transportation and preventing the tablegrapes to cool evenly. The fluctuation in temperature contributes to the qualityrelatedproblems of these table grapes. The primary research goal is to identifypackaging-related problems and propose possible solutions to improve thepackaging-related conditions in which table grapes arrive at the destination. Thisstudy therefore investigated and evaluated the performance of the current packagingsystem of table grapes within a South African context for exporting to Europe for aspecific case. Further analyses of the data received from Dole South Africa, a fruitmarketing and distribution company, revealed that the following two types ofpackaging showed serious quality-related problems:1) A04I: The 4.5kg box with the grapes in plastic bags.2) A05E: The 5kg box with 500g punnets (10 x 500g punnets).A questionnaire combining with the Packaging Portfolio Evaluation Model and thePackaging Scorecard was developed and used to evaluate the two identifiedpackaging systems in the following stages:Stage 1: Development of a new questionnaire by combining the Packaging PortfolioEvaluation Model and the Packaging Scorecard.Stage 2: Survey with the questionnaire developed in Stage 1. The identified types ofpackaging were evaluated with a new questionnaire with specific criteria. Members ofthe table grape supply chain from the farmer in South Africa to consumer in Swedenwere used during the evaluation process.Descriptive statistics were calculated for each criteria or question in order to describethe performance and importance of the different packaging criteria. Data were alsoanalysed with the use of box plots. The box plots and data visualisation methodswere used to make conclusions and recommendations regarding the differentcategories of each type of packaging. It was clear that the major problem areas ofboth packaging systems involved were related to the environmental aspect of thepackaging. The marketing and the logistics of the plastic bag also underperformed.However, individual criteria regarding the other business areas can also be improved.Possible solutions to these problem areas are also suggested in this thesis. Thepossible solutions include the Tali Grape Basket, Perforated Plastic Liners, New Generation Pack (NGP), Vinguard TM, Easypunnet and the Sulphur Dioxide LinerBag.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University