Logistics without borders. How apples are transported to Jordan and Egypt
The transport time of apples from the European Union to Egypt and Jordan is from 14 to 30 days and depends on many factors – the distance of the packaging plant from the loading port, the length of the sea route (transport from Gdańsk will be significantly longer than from Trieste in Italy or Koper in Slovenia), its patency, the need for any reloading, the efficiency of the ports serving, correct documentation, etc. The fruit can cover this long route and reach the end customer, maintaining excellent firmness and unique taste values, only thanks to the use of modern methods of production, storage, packaging and transport of fruit by European producers.
Logistics starts at the tree
Compliance with even the most restrictive rules regarding the storage and transport of apples will not bring the desired effect if the fruit has not been produced correctly. Therefore, only those batches and varieties of apples that have the right colour and firmness, which is the basic parameter checked during long transport, are exported in the European Union. Varieties whose fruit do not achieve sufficient firmness or lose it quickly (e.g. Šampion) are not exported to distant markets. High production standards are required by the regulations in force in the European Union countries. Moreover, the fruit is checked by the relevant services of the member states for the presence of residues after the use of plant protection products. Only healthy and safe fruit reaches consumers.
The impact of storage on the quality of apples
Long-term storage of apples became possible after 1-MCP gas was introduced into broad use. Its effect, in the simplest terms, involves almost completely stopping the ripening process of the fruit. This technology is widely used in the European Union. It allows apples to be delivered to the end customer practically without losing their smell, firmness and taste.
Apples are stored in special chambers at a temperature of about 1°C in controlled atmosphere conditions, where the presence of oxygen is virtually eliminated, and at the same time the fruit is exposed to 1-MCP gas. This slows down the ripening process to a minimum, which in some varieties allows for extending the storage time to up to 12 months. Thanks to these procedures, end consumers can enjoy high-quality apples all year round.
Research on the properties of 1-MCP gas has made it possible to use it at virtually every stage of apple storage and transport – from the pre-harvest phase (spraying fruit on trees) to the moment the fruit is delivered to the end customer (e.g. using special containers with the ability to control the atmosphere inside them). Such procedures additionally extend the shelf life of fruit.
Transport
Exporters from the European Union to distant markets, including Jordan and Egypt, pay special attention to maintaining transport conditions that minimize losses and allow for the delivery of the highest quality apples to the recipient. To achieve this effect, it is extremely important to properly pack the fruit and then maintain the cold chain throughout the entire transport period.
Summary
High production standards, the use of modern storage and packaging technologies, and properly planned and implemented fruit logistics enable producers and exporters from the European Union to deliver high-quality apples to distant markets, including Egypt and Jordan. Despite the many risks associated with trading in products with a short or very short shelf life, as well as the uncertainty associated with intercontinental sea transport, the European Union will remain a significant player in this market.