Harvesting and packaging of bananas

Juan José Aycart, Dole, Ecuador

Chapter synopsis: Bananas are one of the most widely traded crops globally, and with appropriate management, can be produced on a continuous basis. However, the journey from field to retail destination is a delicate, finely tuned process, which must be closely managed at every stage to ensure the safety and quality of the product. This chapter describes each stage of this journey, evaluating different strategies and challenges. Various criteria are presented for determining when to harvest a bunch, followed by a description of different harvesting and transport techniques to avoid damage to the crop. Postharvest losses can be reduced through effective techniques of dehanding, washing, sorting and packaging. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future trends in banana cultivation, balancing the need to minimize production costs with the increasing consumer concern for the environmental and human impact of this trade.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0020.20