Using Supply Chain Information: Mapping Pipfruit and Kiwifruit Quality

Abstract

Fresh produce supply chains are being transformed by increasing demands for information on product origin, production inputs, environment impacts and quality. A key point of differentiation between competing supply chains is their ability to transfer information seamlessly throughout the chain. Frequently, information required by the postharvest and/or marketing components of the supply chain must be sourced directly from the producer. Increasingly, the information sought from the producer needs to be based on complex data collected under a wide range of field conditions. This paper reports on techniques that can add value to the information required of the producer for all chain participants. These techniques include geographic information systems, handheld data capture devices, remote sensing equipment and database management at different levels in the supply chain. Also, the information generated from these techniques can be used to optimise physical and financial aspects of horticultural production systems, in addition to the provision of auditable product traceability. This aspect may help to motivate improvements to current information systems. While there are exciting opportunities for further progress, horticultural production and its supply chain has challenging demands for these technologies, not the least of which is the question "how will it work in practice?" Mapping of pipfruit and kiwifruit information provides case studies that explore the implications, and identify current limitations, for researchers, developers and users of the various technologies.

Yield sensing technologies for perennial and annual horticultural crops: a review

“…These systems have the advantage of static weighing, providing more accurate discrete measurements; however, the yield data spatial resolution is considerably reduced. Yield maps showing clear trends in the data have been obtained from these types of systems (e.g., Praat et al, 2003;Schueller et al, 1999) but this approach has never attracted strong industry attention. It could suit large tree crops with individual, stand-alone trees (production units) that are harvested singularly.…”

Traceability in Postharvest Systems

“…There is an extreme loss in precision, as the fruit has all been individually measured on the grader. An enhanced traceability system was profiled by Praat et al (2003), where the location of picking for every bin of kiwifruit was identified and then the fruit was tracked through the packinghouse. Grader data on size and dry matter for all fruit was recorded.…”

Spatial Variability of Kiwifruit Quality in Orchards and Its Implications for Sampling and Mapping

“…deliciosa 'Hayward'), are much less common because of the difficulty in gathering detailed sitespecific harvest data (Schueller et al, 1999). In the kiwifruit literature, published information on within-orchard variability of kiwifruit quantity and quality has been limited to basic examples, nonspatial statistics, and maps (Gillgren, 2001;Praat and Bollen, 2007;Praat et al, 2003). In general, mean orchard (or orchard block) statistics are all the data that are presented to the grower (Praat et al, 2003).…”

“…In the kiwifruit literature, published information on within-orchard variability of kiwifruit quantity and quality has been limited to basic examples, nonspatial statistics, and maps (Gillgren, 2001;Praat and Bollen, 2007;Praat et al, 2003). In general, mean orchard (or orchard block) statistics are all the data that are presented to the grower (Praat et al, 2003). Information on the spatial variation of quality should be of interest to growers because it forms the basis of price premiums.…”