Capital $ Investment in Postharvest Technology & Recovery of Invested Capital

In today’s competitive global agricultural market it takes more than knowing how to effectively produce crops to succeed in business. Marketing fruits and vegetables at acceptable profit margins may involve timing the market either early or late in the season, to receive higher prices. Many producers undertake the strategy of trying to be the first grower/shipper to market product when prices are high and customer demand is strong. To execute this strategy special cultivars of fruits and vegetables have been developed by plant breeders and seed companies to mature very early in the season and allow grower/shippers to capitalize using this marketing stategy. Marketing produce late in the season or during the off-season is achieved by utilizing appropriate postharvest handling technologies. These technologies if used properly not only extend the marketable shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables but allow grower/shippers marketing opportunities such as: