Page 22 - Case Study Annual 2018
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• Complex consumer preferences in taste, challenge. Timing and perishability needs to
size, cultivar, packaging and ripeness. The be taken into account during the travel time
company needs to give consumers what they of approximately 40 days. The temperature
want. needs to be monitored at all times.
The solutions The outcome and way forward
Consumers demand homogenous ripening, Despite all the challenges, ZZ2’s yield per
which is a complex process to manage, from hectare is nearly double that of others in
prepack to point of sale. the South African industry. The vigour and
Ripening variables need to be taken into precocity of its trees is much higher than
account – maturity and oil levels need to others in the industry. The company has an
be consistent. Early versus late season fruit earlier fi nancial break-even point on orchard
has an impact on ripening times, and the establishment and a high success rate of
storage time before ripening and the cultivar trees from its own nursery. It has reduced
infl uences the ripening protocol. Getting shipping rates due to bulk volume and access
all this right needs the correct balance of to the best receivers in Europe. ZZ2 has a
ethylene, CO and O , managed by venting; predictable and reliable supply of produce.
2 2
good temperature control with up to 1ºC What the future holds? The aim is to stretch
variance; and good airfl ow through the pallets. the season to make year-round production
There is an increased risk of product loss after possible; research better performing cultivars
ripening. that are more stress tolerant with higher
Trees need nutritional programmes, bearing potential; reduce the company’s
pruning, irrigation, protection and pollination environmental impact with better water use
in order to thrive. Getting it from the orchards effi ciency and increased pest and disease
requires ripeness testing to determine picking resistance; tap into Eastern markets, which
time, and the company aims to hit the price have huge potential to bring foreign revenue
window by picking at the right time. to South Africa; and make use of online
Getting it to the consumer presents another trading platforms. •
20 The Logistics News Case Study Annual 2018
