Postharvest mass losses may range 10-30% at the grower and about 10% loss during distribution of fresh produce. This represents a loss of roughly 1 billion NOK in 2009 for the growers, wholesalers and retailers. Postharvest competence is therefore of great national interest. Improved national postharvest expertise is essential for the agricultural industry in Norway in order to reduce storage losses and improve the economy.

Increased consumption

During recent years, there has been an extensive growth in the global market for freshly prepared fruit and vegetable products. In Norway, the consumption of table potatoes has decreased by 14% in the period 1997-2007, while fruit and berries increased by 30% and vegetables increased by 18% in the same period. Increased consumption is preferable in a health perspective, and national authorities recommend the daily intake of fruit and vegetables to be further increased to 750 g/person from 400 g in Norway today.

Limiting factors for storage

Apples, carrots and potatoes are suitable for long-term storage in good storage facilities and are important products from Norwegian farmers. Limiting factors for optimal quality of these commodities are usually diseases and loss of texture and weight. They may also lose flavour and nutritional value. Quality after storage is greatly influenced by the choice and stability of the storage conditions, while many of the problems originate during the growing season. In the years to come, diseases may become an even greater problem, due to change in climatic conditions in favour of e.g. fungal diseases.