Characterization of the postharvest losses of fresh vegetable during transportation in Oman

Postharvest losses in fresh produce chains are a major threat to food security. The interest to address postharvest value chain constraints leading to food losses has increased significantly to provide adequate nutrition to the growing population. Efforts to remediate loss are currently impeded by little information about the current levels of fresh vegetable loss in Oman or the factors contributing to this loss. Postharvest losses are encountered along the food value chain in the handling, storage, transportation and processing. Vibration often causes some damages to perishable vegetables in transportation and reduces their quality quantity, quality and market value. The fresh produce injury due to vibration is related to the transportation vehicles, packaging and the conditions of the roads. This proposed study will focus on investigating the postharvest losses of fresh vegetables due to transportation and simulated storage.