“Every truck, every shipment, plays a critical role in delivering nature’s bounty to our tables, ensuring that freshness and flavor are never compromised,” an advisory on produce transportation said in The Produce News. “As we brace for [harvests], think about the details you need to have your most successful season, and make sure you’re providing those same details to your partners in transportation.”
Perishable Logistics Hurdles: Complexities in Produce Transportation
The mass production and delivery of perishable goods is complicated. Produce transportation is “a highly specialized part of the industry,” Dean Croke, principal industry analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics, told The Packer.
It’s also a growing part of the industry. Technavio Research estimates the global perishable goods transportation market size will grow by $9.23 billion between 2024 and 2028.
6 Steps to Successful Produce Transportation
Produce growers and shippers must deal with:
- Perishability and Environmental Sensitivity: The spoilage rates of perishables vary widely depending on the type of fruit and vegetable, and the precise temperature controls during transport differ as well. “Overall, the market prioritizes quality assurance and temperature control to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers,” Technavio Research said.
- Logistical Complexities: Coordinating the delivery of produce from the dock in one region to the distributor in another utilizing more than one mode of transportation is far more complicated than plucking a basketful of peas from the garden.
- Demand Fluctuation and Market Pressures: Seasonal and market-driven demand fluctuations impact logistics planning and further complicate the delivery of fresh produce.
- Safety and Security: Produce shippers must be cognizant of theft risks as well as health safety issues such as contamination.
Technavio Research said the transportation of perishable goods requires “specialized handling to maintain product quality, safety, and shelf life. Challenges include spoilage, damage, and degradation, which can lead to foodborne illnesses and wastages.”
For the successful transport of fresh produce, assess your transportation needs, overcome common challenges, implement best practices, choose the right transport modes, leverage technology for tracking and control, and choose the right transportation partner.
Step 1: Assess Your Produce Transportation Needs
- Evaluate the specific logistics needs based on the type of produce, including sensitivity to temperature, humidity, and handling.
- Consider how frequently you need to ship your produce and the size of those shipments.
Step 2: Overcome Common Produce Transportation Challenges
- Develop a plan to address the top challenges in produce logistics, such as spoilage and contamination.
- Have strategies in place for dealing with fluctuating demand and seasonal peaks in shipping volumes.
Step 3: Implement Best Practices for Packing and Handling
- Ensure proper packaging materials and techniques are used to maintain quality and prevent damage.
- Put in place best practices for loading and unloading produce to minimize exposure and handling.
Step 4: Choose the Right Transportation Modes
- Based on cost, distance, and produce type, select the most appropriate transportation method, whether truckload or expedited.
Step 5: Leverage Technology for Enhanced Traceability and Control
- Technological tools should be used to optimize produce transportation. Those include real-time tracking and temperature monitoring systems. “Consumer preferences for health-conscious diets, online supermarkets, delivery services, meal kits, meal delivery services, e-commerce, and digital platforms are driving the demand for advanced technology-based solutions, such as RFID tracking systems and temperature-controlled containers, to ensure the quality and freshness of perishable goods,” Technavio Research said.
- Integrating these technologies can ensure visibility and control over shipments.
Step 6: Partner with the Right Logistics Provider
- Choose a logistics partner that understands the nuances of produce transportation.
- Choose a logistics partner with specialized services that cater to the produce industry's unique needs, including custom logistics solutions and expert support.
Partner With VCPB to Overcome Produce Transportation Challenges
VCPB Transportation is the premier produce transportation provider. We work with shippers to:
- Assess specific transportation needs. We are obsessed with the details, so shippers don’t have to be.
- Overcome all produce transportation challenges. Our produce shipping experts provide 24/7/365 service to promptly address any issues.
- Implement best practices for packing and handling. We gained experience physically loading produce trucks.
- Choose the best transportation methods. We do whatever it takes to ensure flawless delivery every time.
- Leverage advanced technology for real-time visibility and the temperature-controlled transport of fresh produce. We check, double-check, and triple-check the status of perishable goods every single leg of the journey using our state-of-the-art tech stack.
Start shipping with VCPB today.
