International Pineapple Trade and Best Practices
Pineapples destined for long distance trade should be packed in such a way that the product itself is protected. Likewise, the materials used inside the package should all be clean, sanitized, and of such quality that they avoid any external or internal damage to the produce. Furthermore, the use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. Finally, the pineapples and other produce should be packed within each container in compliance with the Recommended International Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Tropical Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. As Farmfolio embarks on its new Panama Golden Pineapple project, it is committed to the highest sanitary and quality standards.
International Pineapple Trade and Best Practices
Farmfolio and its associates are proud to partner with international institutions in order to maintain friendly environmental processes as well as fair labor approaches, thus creating holistic connections with the land, the environment, and its people. As part of the new Panama Golden Pineapple project, Farmfolio and its associates hold a GRASP certification that stands for Corporate Social Responsibility. This certification is an add on to the Global Gap Certification, obtained in 2016 and required to export to any country in the world. Global Gap has a mandatory food traceability system incorporated and it is not just a system for good farming practices. Global Gap makes it mandatory to keep records of all applications to the crops and to properly labeled parcels and lots. This way, when a fruit arrives at the pack house, it can be traced directly to where it came from and determine what applications it received. In addition, each production lot at the pack house is managed, boxed, and labeled with a precise traceability number. If there are any issues with particular shipment, the pack house can trace it all the way back to its lot of origin.
The Golden MD2 Pineapple variety that is grown as part of Farmfolio’s new offering has an extended shelf life and does very well if proper food chain temperatures are maintained throughout transit. Thus far, transit times of up to 30 days all the way from Central America to Asia have yielded positive results. Pineapples require particular temperature, humidity, moisture, and ventilation for proper storage and shipping conditions. The recommended ventilation conditions are of an air exchange rate of 40 to 60 times per hour with a constant supply of fresh air, so as to remove the ripening gases and to keep the CO2 content of the hold air low. Spoilage may occur as a result both of inadequate ventilation (danger of rotting) and of excessive ventilation (drying-out or fruit weight loss). All containers arriving at the Panama pack house are inspected and measured to ensure proper ventilation. Furthermore, an inspection log of each container and its performance is kept for traceability issues. Additionally, a measuring device that records transit temperatures and humidity is included in every container so that the information can be retrieved and analyzed when it arrives at the destination.
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