Page 17 - Logistics Update Africa March - April 2024 issue for Website

INDUSTRY CHALLENGES FLOWER PRESERVATION
In the dynamic landscape of global Cut flowers are inherently susceptible to
supply chains, the flower industry faces ageing and decay during transportation
persistent packaging challenges that due to their biological characteristics.
hinder efficiency and sustainability. A study by Labthink found that water
By addressing these issues through imbalance and respiration are the primary
modernisation initiatives, stakeholders mechanisms driving this process, leading to
can unlock opportunities for enhanced a loss of market value. So, before upgrading
resilience and environmental stewardship. the packaging materials, businesses
should first understand the best packaging
Maximising space efficiency: techniques to extend a flower’s shelf life.
Beyond buckets
Traditional flower transportation methods, High water vapour barrier technique:
such as using buckets, are inefficient in Selecting packaging materials with high
space utilisation. This inefficiency not only water vapour barrier properties is crucial
leads to increased transportation costs but for maintaining optimal humidity levels.
also heightens environmental footprints. Materials like HDPE (High Density
Transitioning to space-optimised boxes Polyethylene) and BOPP (Biaxially Oriented
or crates can maximise cargo capacity Polypropylene) demonstrate suitable
while prolonging flower freshness. moisture resistance, minimising water loss
Advancements like the Fc588 bucket during transportation and storage.
mark progress, but embracing alternatives
can significantly enhance revenues while Modified atmosphere packaging
reducing ecological impact. technique:
Creating a controlled atmosphere with
Enhancing stack-ability: Ensuring low oxygen and high carbon-dioxide
structural integrity levels using modern packaging technology
Conventional boxes often fail to maintain reduces the frequency of respiration. This
structural integrity when stacked, resulting technique inhibits ageing and extends the
in damaged cargo and operational shelf life of cut flowers, enhancing their
inefficiencies. Poor box design exacerbates marketability.
this prevalent issue, highlighting the
necessity for modern packaging solutions Chemical preservation technique:
prioritising robustness and compatibility Chemical preservatives play a vital
with contemporary transportation role in maintaining the freshness
infrastructure. By investing in packaging of cut flowers. Effective integration
the Dutch’s square Fc577 and the Fc519 that ensures structural integrity, of chemical preservation with
to Chrysanthemum and Lily boxes, were stakeholders can mitigate damages and packaging technology improves overall
appropriate for a 1980s DC8 freighter optimise logistics efficiency. preservation outcomes, ensuring the
aircraft but their dimensions are not longevity and quality of cut flowers
compatible with modern Unit Load Optimising air circulation: throughout transportation and storage.
Devices (ULD) or trolleys. Preventing self-heating
Not just in the Netherlands, the Inadequate air circulation in current CHOOSE THE RIGHT
picture is the same across the globe. packaging contributes to self-heating, PACKAGING
Early flower exporters in Zimbabwe compromising flower quality during Addressing the challenges of cut flower
and Kenya developed flower boxes in transportation. Efficient airflow is critical preservation requires a multifaceted
the late 1980s – known as the ‘Zim box’ in regulating temperatures and preserving approach. By leveraging modern
(rough dimensions: 50x20x100cm) flower freshness throughout the supply packaging techniques such as high water
and ‘Kenyan Standard Box’ (rough chain. Proposals for airflow-enabled boxes vapour barrier, modified atmosphere,
dimensions: 33x20x100cm). Hulst wrote present a viable solution, facilitating optimal and chemical preservation, the industry
that those boxes were a perfect fit for the temperature regulation and mitigating can mitigate ageing and decay, ensuring
aeroplanes in those days but they do not the risk of self-heating. By prioritising the longevity and quality of cut
fit well onto the latest ULDs, trolleys, air circulation in packaging design, flowers throughout transportation and
and block pallets – either an EURO stakeholders can ensure the integrity and storage. Collaborative efforts between
pallet or a Danish trolley. quality of cut flowers during transit. practitioners and researchers are essential
to further enhance preservation strategies
REVOLUTIONISING FLOWER MODERN PACKAGING and minimise losses in the cut flower
PACKAGING: OVERCOMING TECHNIQUES FOR CUT supply chain.

MARCH - APRIL 2024 LUA 15