Project
SMP23004 Sustainable Citrus Import
This research aims to investigate the development of practical guidelines in a collaborative project to reduce food waste and improve quality of South African citrus upon import in Europe. Guidelines are towards fortifying citrus fruit against chilling injury and developing transport protocols.
The demand for fresh citrus fruit is increasing and because of the “opposite seasons” and regular shortfalls in the European supply results in more demand for non-European citrus fruits. South Africa is the world's second-largest exporter of fresh citrus fruits after Spain. Europe is the largest market for South African citrus fruits, which are worth nearly two billion euros and account for 37% of exports.