Distribution and logistics
The distribution and logistics of citrus fruits are critical processes that begin once the fruit has been selected, treated, and packaged. The main objective is to ensure that the fresh product reaches the consumer or industrial destination maintaining its quality and extending its shelf life.
🧊 Outbound Logistics and Cold Chain
Outbound logistics includes the preparation, consolidation, transport, and shipment of the product from the packaging warehouse to its final destination. The most important factor in this phase is the Cold Chain.
| Appearance | Description |
| Pre-cooling | Before loading, citrus fruits are usually pre-cooled to remove field heat and metabolic heat generated by fruit respiration. |
| Optimal Temperature | Citrus fruits are non-climacteric (they do not ripen significantly after harvesting), and their optimal temperature range for transport and storage is between 2°C and 15°C. Specific temperatures vary: for example, lemons are recommended to be stored between 8°C and 10°C to avoid chilling injury during prolonged storage. |
| Ventilation and Humidity | Adequate air circulation is required to homogenize the temperature and prevent the accumulation of ethylene (although citrus fruits produce it in small quantities, ethylene can accelerate the ripening of other fruits transported together). The ideal relative humidity is between 85% and 90%. |
| Transportation | For long journeys, especially for export, refrigerated trucks or refrigerated containers (reefers) are used to maintain a stable and controlled temperature. It is vital that the refrigeration equipment is in perfect working order and that loading and unloading are carried out quickly to avoid breaking the supply chain. |
| Phytosanitary Control | In export logistics, phytosanitary controls are essential to comply with the regulations of the destination countries. |
📦 Palletizing and Shipping
- Palletizing and Strapping: The final boxes or packaging are grouped onto pallets and strapped (secured with tape) or filmed to ensure their stability during transport. The packaging must allow for optimal palletization and air circulation.
- Vehicle Loading: The fruit is loaded into the refrigerated vehicle (truck, railcar or shipping container) in such a way as to allow air circulation underneath, around and through the load. If the load has multiple destinations, it is organized in the reverse order of unloading.
- Inspection at Destination: Upon arrival at distribution centers or ports of destination (in the case of export), the fruit may be subject to additional inspections before being distributed to wholesalers, supermarkets or processing industries (juices, oils, etc.).
🌍 Markets and Export
Global citrus logistics is a large-scale operation, with the following key players:
- Main Exporters (2023): Spain 🇪🇸 (world leader in fresh citrus), South Africa 🇿🇦, China 🇨🇳 and Türkiye 🇹🇷.
- Main Importers (2023): United States 🇺🇸, Germany 🇩🇪 and France 🇫🇷.
- Logistical Advantages:
- Spain: Proximity to major European markets.
- South Africa: Off-season production (when the Northern Hemisphere is not harvesting), which guarantees year-round supply.
