Postharvest preservation of fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries) is one of the greatest challenges in the horticultural sector. Along with avocados and table grapes, these fruits are among the few categories whose consumption continues to grow year after year in Europe. Improvements in production, transportation, flavor, and their well-recognized antioxidant properties help explain their success among consumers.
However, their extreme sensitivity means that postharvest management requires a very strict strategy. Maintaining quality from the field to the point of sale demands precise, rapid, and well-designed technological processes.
Main Challenges in Fresh Berry Preservation
Berries share several characteristics that make postharvest handling particularly complex:
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Highly perishable: strawberries and raspberries have an average shelf life of around 7 days at 0 °C, while blackberries average approximately 5 days.
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Fully manual harvesting, fruit by fruit.
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Very thin skin, highly sensitive to impacts, pressure, or any form of handling.
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High susceptibility to fungal decay, especially Botrytis spp.
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Intolerance to surface moisture, as condensation promotes fungal growth.
These conditions make berries arguably the most delicate fruits within the entire fruit and vegetable category. For this reason, having properly designed processes in place is essential to prevent losses.
Best Practices for Effective Postharvest Preservation
Rigorous management makes it possible to extend shelf life and ensure quality during transport and distribution. Key critical points include:
In the Field
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Maintain proper plant health and remove any decaying fruit residues.
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Ensure adequate drainage to prevent water accumulation and reduce disease risks.
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Apply pre-harvest fungicide treatments during periods of high inoculum pressure and humidity.
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Pack fruit directly in the field to avoid double handling.
After Harvest
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Reduce the time between harvesting and cooling to less than two hours, as delays have a drastic impact on quality.
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Cool fruit using forced-air systems to 0 °C within one hour, a critical step to slow deterioration.
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Maintain fast inventory turnover in the packing facility to avoid unnecessary accumulation.
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Schedule harvesting to avoid production peaks that force excessive storage, which ultimately leads to shrinkage or downgraded product.
Within the technical consulting services offered by FruitProfits, these processes are part of the standard assessments carried out for producers and companies across the sector (see more on the services page).
Innovation in Packaging for Fresh Berries
Due to the extreme perishability of these fruits, the industry has developed specific packaging solutions.
Among them, high-CO₂ modified atmosphere systems (10–15%) stand out, as they are capable of inhibiting fungal growth and extending shelf life by an additional 3 to 4 days during transport and storage.
These technologies are a clear example of how innovation applied to postharvest handling contributes to improved profitability and reduced losses, as demonstrated in many real-world projects featured in our case studies.
Varietal Development and Genetic Improvement
Over the past five years, varietal development in strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries has advanced significantly. New genetics have been introduced that offer better flavor, longer shelf life, and an improved consumer experience without compromising taste quality.
This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, allowing consumers to enjoy berries with superior flavor that reach the point of sale in better condition.
If you would like to learn how these improvements are integrated into cold-chain management and postharvest processes, you can contact our team directly through the contact page.