From producer to delivery: the key stages of fruit and vegetable quality control
For the importer as for the customer, quality is not a sales argument: it is a daily discipline that begins well before the goods are shipped.
1. Select and audit producers
It all starts with the choice of suppliers. Their farming, health and social practices are checked, as well as their certifications. Recognised standards, such as GlobalG.A.P., provide a common framework and regular audits.
2. Check at harvest and packing
Before shipping, several criteria are checked batch by batch:
- size and colour;
- firmness and stage of ripeness;
- sugar content (Brix) for some fruits;
- the absence of defects: bruising, blemishes, rot.
3. Analyse residues
Products intended for the European Union must comply with the maximum residue limits in force. Laboratory analyses make it possible to check this before or during shipping.
4. Guarantee traceability
Every batch must be traceable: plot of origin, harvest date, packing station, batch number. In the event of a problem, this information makes it possible to act quickly and target exactly the goods concerned.
5. Check on receipt
On arrival, a check of the temperature, the appearance of the products and the conformity of the documents closes the chain. Any discrepancies are documented (photos, readings) to make handling a claim easier.
Key takeaways
Good quality control relies on criteria defined in advance, repeated checks at every stage and full traceability.
