Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
THE CHALLENGES OF TRANSPORTING POTATOES & SWEET POTATOES
Global demand for fresh produce continues to grow at an accelerated rate and offers significant opportunities for the import/export trade to reach broader markets. Unfortunately, as markets expand, shipping distances lengthen and time to market increases.While potatoes are in transit, valuable days of shelf-life decrement and the risk of decay increases. Sweet potatoes are very susceptible to molds and decay, particularly Rhizopus soft rot, also Fusarium rot and black rot. If there is mechanical injury or chilling injury, decay can be accelerated. In addition, temperature fluctuations resulting in condensation can accelerate mold growth and decay.