Packing and stacking of pears
Pears are packed in all types of packaging. Crates, cartons, trays, bags and punnets are convenient containers for handling, transport and marketing. Careful packing is important when working with fresh produce, to avoid damages. The packaging is designed to protect the produce from mechanical damage, but is only effective when used correctly. When stacking the packages on a pallet, the risk of falling should be minimized. It must be done in such a way the packages provide each other stability. Completed pallets should be strapped well so that the contents cannot shift or fall.
Packing pears
Pears are susceptible to new damages such as bruises and skin punctures when not handled carefully during packaging and palletizing. These damages are not always immediately visible, but can lead to disappointments later in the chain and even to reclamations. Therefore, packaging of pears should be done according to the right procedures.
Packing attention points
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Manual inspection of pears. Photo by BearFotos/Shutterstock.com Manual removal bad quality pears
The sorting that takes place prior to packing should result in groups of pears of uniform size and quality. However, it cannot be expected that the sorting line performs 100% perfect. Therefore, the people on the packing line should always stay alert for pears that differ, which should be kept out of the packages. This certainly counts for pears with rot. -
Pears carefully placed in package. Photo by Unconventional/Shutterstock.com Prevent drops, punctures and bumps
It is of high importance to place pears carefully into the package. Do not drop them, there should be no drop distance. On the other hand, never use force when packing the pears, as this can lead to bruises. Rough handling can also lead to punctures in the skin. An example is damage caused by the stem of a neighboring pear. Or damage caused by bumping the pear to the sharp edge of the packaging. If you accidently drop a pear on the floor, keep it out of the package. -
Packages must not be overfilled. Photo by Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock.com Do not overfill packages
Packages must not be overfilled. They should not be filled to such level that the next package, when stacking, touches or presses pears in the package beneath. Fill the package from bottom to top evenly over the entire surface. This also prevents rolling of the pears. -
Old weighing scale. Photo by alexkich/Shutterstock.com Calibrate weighing scales
Packing is according to a prescribed (minimum) weight. Weighing scales are calibrated at least once a year. But calibration CHECKS must be done on at least once a day with calibration weights. If you have any doubt about the weight, or accidently hit the weighing scale hard, ask the person in charge to do an extra calibration check.
Stacking attention points
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Carefully stacked crates. Photo by Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock.com Stack packages carefully
Dropping and dragging of packages should always be avoided. This would cause the fruits to bump against each other which can cause skin damages. Moreover, packages can get deformed and thus provide less protection to the pears. -
Neatly stacked packages. Photo by Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock.com Stack packages neatly
Place the first layer of packages accurately within the edges of the pallet. Packages must not overlap the pallet. When this happens, the risk on damage to the product or the packaging later in the supply chain is high. Neatly stacking also facilitates forklift work. -
Crates not well-aligned. Photo by WFBR Stack packages tightly
Stack the packages straight on top of each other on the pallet, at an angle of 90 degrees with the pallets surface. If the weight is not evenly distributed, the lower boxes can deform in a later part of the chain. Also, stacks need to be tight against each other. In this way the ventilation holes in the packages connect well with each other. This is necessary to provide a good air circulation through the pallet load. -
Correctly strapped pallets. Photo by WFBR Strap pallets correctly
Before transport with the forklift, completed pallets must be strapped well in such a way that the packages cannot shift or fall. Corner boards (carton) in combination with strap materials (plastic) are frequently used to stabilize pallets with cardboard boxes. All straps should be tight.
“It’s better to put 5 fewer pears in the box than 1 too many, as 1 pear sticking out, may result in a problem for many”
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Related technologies and daily practices
Are you planning to do other activities with pears?
Handling pears
Fruit, vegetables and flowers are living and sensitive products. When working with fresh products like pears, it is essential to realise the importance of handling products with care. This prevents food and quality losses and profit losses.
Packing and stacking of pears
Pears are packed in all types of packaging. Crates, cartons, trays, bags and punnets are convenient containers for handling, transport and marketing. Careful packing is important when working with fresh produce, to avoid damages. The packaging is designed to protect the produce from mechanical damage, but is only effective when used correctly. When stacking the packages on a pallet, the risk of falling should be minimized. It must be done in such a way the packages provide each other stability. Completed pallets should be strapped well so that the contents cannot shift or fall.
Temperature management pears
An optimal temperature is mostly the first requirement to maintain a good quality of horticultural produce after harvest. Refrigeration is an effective method of preserving the quality of pears. Cooler temperatures extend the storage life by, among other things, reducing respiration, water loss, colour change, and decay. The produce should however not be stored below their critical temperature, as chilling injury may then occur. This would result in risks on various quality problems such as weakened tissue leading to discoloration and increased risk of decay. The optimum temperature varies per commodity and should be controlled throughout the whole fresh supply chain.
Pear disorders and diseases
Good quality pears are free from diseases and disorders! Customers will not buy fruit with rots or with damaged skin. But also fruit that looks good on the outside but is brown or soft inside will not lead to happy customers. There are dozens of different diseases and disorders and these are not always easy to recognize. However, a good diagnosis is important. By recognizing the symptoms of a disease or disorder, it can be linked to the cause. If you know the cause, you know what measures can be taken to prevent the disease or disorder in the future.
Research insights for postharvest management of pears
In our applied research, we study postharvest management of many fresh products. On this page, some results from our research relevant for pears are listed.