Projecttitel: Sustainable Citrus Import
Projectnummer: SMP-23004
Land: South Africa
Looptijd: 2023
Budget: € 40.000
Projectleider: Rob Schouten
Kennisinstelling: Wageningen University & Research

The demand for fresh citrus fruit is increasing and because of the “opposite seasons” and regular shortfalls in the European supply results in more demand for non-European citrus fruits. South Africa is the world’s second-largest exporter of fresh citrus fruits after Spain. Currently, European import of citrus from South Africa is under pressure because South Africa lacks postharvest precooling facilities and fruit needs to be kept at temperatures of at least 2°C for 20 to 25 days. This causes physiological fruit defects such as chilling injury.

This research aims to investigate the development of practical guidelines to reduce food waste (due to chilling) and improve quality of South African citrus upon import in Europe. Guidelines are towards fortifying citrus fruit against chilling injury and developing transport protocols.

Download here the final presentation