You need to ensure that every product you transport is protected from deterioration.

Transporting has always been a business where you need to take many facts into consideration. When we refer to commodities, it’s important to know that a specific product's type, soft commodities, must be handled quite differently than others. Why? Because some of these products have a shorter lifespan. Thus, these products are often considered more tricky to transport than other organic products. Now that you know that, as a commodities service, you have to make sure that you´re are taking the best alternatives and measures to transport soft commodities.

Which are the risks and alternatives?

First of all, you have to know what is considered perishable products and which ones have a shorter lifespan or easily deteriorate. Coagro Corp, as a transporter of perishable commodities, like oils, milk, some grains, green coffee, and sugar, knows all about the measures to avoid those risks. Here, we’re going to explain you important factors that you have to take into consideration to do this!

-Refrigeration: the point of refrigerating perishable products is to maintain their quality and prolong their shelf life. How? They do it by keeping product's temperature at a point where metabolic and microbial deterioration is minimized, avoiding quality loss in their storage and distribution. Keep in mind that you can’t do it on a too high or too low temperature. It must be set depending on the product stored.

-Air System: one of the most important facts for protecting your perishable products. If air circulation is not proper, it won't maintain the temperature products need. Two major methods are used for air circulation systems: overhead and top-air. You can use the one that fits better your business requirements.

-Insulation: in this case, quality is measurable, and the industry's standard is the U factor (coefficient of heat transfer through a trailer body). Vehicles used to transport perishable products should be well-insulated to reduce heat flow through their walls. The lower is the U factor, the better the insulation. A plus: an idea you could put in practice is to use plastic foams. They offer a low U factor, are lightweight, waterproof and noncorrosive.

-Humidity: having a proper moisture helps maintain perishable products' quality during transport. In mechanical vehicles used for transportation, product's moisture is continuously evaporated and condensed in the circulating air by the refrigeration coil. Also, to minimize risks, you can install a humidity control system.

-Precooling products: last but not least, to maintain a fresh product, prevent decay, and extend products' lifespan, it is necessary to do a complete cooldown before products are shipped.

All these facts will help you tackle all risks in perishables' transportation. You only have to take into consideration these elements mentioned in your own business! With soft commodities, it is important to comply with required transportation's policies to offer a reliable service for your clients.

Coagro Corp makes sure to comply with all requirements to transport their soft commodities and to offer their clients a complete service, providing consulting services for their businesses. If you need to learn more about it, do not hesitate and contact them! They are always willing to help you!