The fruit is picked in the orchards by a Picking team by cutting the fruit of as close to the stem-end as possible and placing the fruit in a bag.
The picking bag full of fruit is then transferred to a Bulk bin and transported to the Packhouse.
At the Packhouse
Depending on the colour of the fruit, the time it was picked etc. The fruit may go to a de-greening room. In this process Ethelene gas (Which normally happens naturally) is introduced in a temperature and humidity-controlled room to change the fruit’s colour. The de-greening process does not harm the fruit or change the internal quality of the fruit and is closely monitored according to global standards.
It is important to note that the ARC Nadorcott LC mandarin is not de-greened but left to ripen on the tree.
Once the fruit is removed from the de-greening rooms, they rest for a couple of hours after which they are taken to the Tip Bath.
The fruit inside the Bulk bin is then slowly tipped into a big bath with water and approved sanitation products. This ensures that the fruit is sanitized before proceeding to the rest of the packing line.
the fruit moves on to an inspection table, where staff will remove fruit not suitable for packing.
Fruit moves on to the flooder where water mixed with approved and safe fungicides as per controlled regulations and minimum MRL (maximum residue levels) ensures the fruit reaches its destination in tip-top shape.
The fruit are then dried in a drying tunnel after which they are covered with a natural Shellac and Carnauba wax, to seal the outside and keep the moisture in the fruit. (They have a long way to travel). This also gives them their beautiful shine.
The fruit is once more dried and then inspected at a sorting table to ensure that any fruits missed in the first inspection table is removed.
The sorting machine then takes over.
The sorting machines takes 20 individual pictures of each fruit. The program is set up in the beginning of the season to recognize and sort the fruit according to size and quality.
The fruit travels along 6 lanes and drops at the appropriate table where the fruit is packed into a carton.
Each packer knows what they are packing and how the customer prefers the fruit packed. Some fruit gets bio-degradable fruit labels on them, others are wrapped etc.
The packed cartons travels to where the cartons are stacked on pallets. The pallet of cartons gets four corners on and is strapped ready for inspection.
PPECB will inspect random cartons from the product to go to the export market and sign off each consignment in accordance of strict regulations and protocols.
The pallet is then stamped, gets a barcode label on and is ready for transport.
The transport Company picks up the fruit and deliver’s it to cold Rooms at South African harbours.
From there our Exporters take over and ensure that the product reach its destination customers all the time whilst maintaining the highest standards and regulations.
