Harvest practices for papaya

Proper picking of papaya is a precondition to being successful in the rest of the supply chain. The performance of the pickers is therefore critical to deliver a good quality product. Fruit must be harvested by trained workers, ensuring uniform size and maturity within each shipment. Always avoid dirty or dusty fruit and handle all fruit gently. Harvesting and packaging are aligned with customer demand, selecting green fruit for salads and riper fruit for immediate consumption.

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Harvest of papayas

Fruit is picked at specific ripening stages to meet customer demand and ensure quality. Careful selection of maturity is crucial for long-distance shipments. Well-trained pickers, sanitation, and clean materials are essential for a successful harvest process.

Attention points for harvest of papayas

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    Harvest maturity

    For climacteric fruits like papaya, selecting the right maturity stage at harvest is crucial. Papaya has moderate ethylene production and sensitivity. Its storage life, ranging typically from 1-3 weeks, depends on the harvest maturity. Harvested batches are categorized by the level of the skin's yellow coloration: less than 1/4 yellow, 1/4 yellow, and 1/2 yellow (more ripe). This coloration corresponds to the fruit's respiration and ethylene production rates.
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    Harvest method

    Papayas are hand-harvested, ideally late morning to early afternoon to minimize latex secretion. Younger, shorter plants exude more latex. Fruit is cut, twisted, and gently detached. For taller plants, harvesting aids are necessary. After harvest, fruits are laid in single layers with foam padding to prevent damage. Damage can occur during transport to the packhouse when not handled carefully. Harvesting crates must be shaded and protected from weather. Quick transport to packing houses is vital.
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    Harvest materials

    Quality, clean tools and materials minimize damage and rot. Careful handling throughout the supply chain is essential to avoid losses. Each fruit should be individually protected with foam nets or layers. Bins with smooth designs and materials also significantly reduce mechanical damage.