21 April 2010

1. Growing and packing citrus to meet export market requirements 21 April 2010

2. Discussion points • Pre-plant investigation • Post plant critical points • Production practices • Picking and handling activities • Packing process

3. Pre-plant investigation • Ensure investment is economically viable • Cost of production • Quality • Quantity • Demand for product • Timing • Quality requirements • Environmental impact study • Sustainable production • Map orchards • Assist with management

4. …Pre-plant investigation • Suitability of “terroir” • Soil • Suitability for long term production • Water • Sufficient supply • Efficient use • Climate • Quality of product • Choice of varieties

5. … Pre-plant investigation • Horticultural aspects • Suitable rootstocks • Soil • Compatibility • Suitable varieties • Optimise seasonal fruit flow • Market demand • Habit of growth for selected varieties • Optimum espacement • Wind protection • Certified nursery trees

6. Post plant critical points • Integrated production management • Fertilisation • Irrigation • Pest control • Disease control • Crop management • Remove all fruit in first 3 – 4 years • Pruning • Light pruning to shape trees

7. Production practices • Objective = optimum yield & quality • Integrated production management • Fertilisation • Soil & leaf analyses • Irrigation • Use growth curves • Scheduling instruments • Pest & Disease control • Monitor - trained scouts • Record fruit culls • Develop threshold levels • Orchard sanitation (decay, fruit fly, FCM) • Adhere to usage restrictions for plant protection products

8. …Production practices • Market access • Adhere to phyto requirements • Apply specific GAP’s • Compliance to certification/accreditation requirements • GlobalGAP minimum • Social accountability • Ethical Labour practices • Safe handling & storage of chemicals • “Due diligent” checks – chemical residues

9. Objective – optimise shelf-life Optimum picking window Internal & external quality Maturity indexing – 5 weeks before planned date Optimum climatic conditions Humidity Temperature Harvesting to be supervised Quality standards Colour standards Cleanliness of fruit Safe handling (injuries) Adhere to time protocols Condition of equipment Road surfaces Sun? – cover fruit Picking and handling

10. Time Protocol: Picking to Cooling

11. Packing • Apply GMP’s • Protocols • Procedures • Monitor • Record keeping • HACCP – basic requirements • Food Safety Risks = Critical Control Points • Written procedures to prevent product contamination • Trained labour force • Cleanliness • Safety • Dress code

12. Packing • Ensure traceability • On orchard level • Product recall procedures • Quality standard per market specification • Monitoring of grading standard • Correctness of • Packing, packaging, labelling, palletisation, marking • Draw retention monsters • Phyto specifications • Correct sampling procedures • Correct handling procedures

13. Packing • Post harvest chemicals • Correct dosage • Compliance to MRL’s per market specification • Residue samples • Adhere to the time protocols • Pack house to be regularly sanitized

14. QUESTIONS