Department of Logistics

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Browsing Department of Logistics by Subject "Active food packaging -- South Africa"

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    An evaluation of the packaging logistics of an avocado supply chain : a global case study
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Groom, Rebecca Lynn; Louw, Johannes Jacobus; Pålsson, Henrik; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Logistics.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: The function of packaging is to contain, protect, apportion, unitise, provide convenience and communicate. Packaging is the most important interface between the logistics system and products, as it is packed products, not products, that are handled in supply chains. Historically, packaging has been viewed as a cost-adding rather than a value-adding component of the supply chain, whereas integration of packaging logistics within the supply chain serves as a competitive advantage and holds great potential for innovation and supply chain efficiency. The avocado industry in South Africa has grown steadily in recent years, with Westfalia Fruit being the main avocado producer and exporter. The purpose of this study was to illuminate potential issues in Westfalia Fruit’s avocado packaging system within the global supply chain. In addition to potential packaging system issues, identification of challenges related to operating conditions and the efficiency of logistics processes, and how these factors could potentially influence fruit quality, were pivotal to the study. Although sound knowledge has developed related to packaging logistics, gaps still exist in the application of packaging logistics practices, methods and information on global food supply chains. This particularly applies to those responsible for transporting fresh produce (specifically avocados), which is evident in the amount of food loss and waste that occurs. In conjunction with this, there is a lack of insight into identification of complexities related to the operating conditions within global food supply chains, together with the influence of operating conditions and packaging logistics on fruit quality. Five focused research questions addressed specific areas of the research problem, aiming to illuminate issues pertaining to operating conditions, packaging, logistics efficiency, and the influence these factors could have on fruit quality. Data loggers, quality reports, Packaging Scorecards (PSCs) and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection instruments. Data loggers collected data pertaining to the operating conditions within the global avocado supply chain. Quality reports indicated the fruit quality received in this supply chain. Semi-structured interviews enabled PSCs to be completed for each actor in the supply chain, providing an evaluation of the packaging system. Commendable and problematic areas were identified within the supply chain and packaging system. The beginning stages of the supply chain, as well as later stages (global receiving warehouse), were identified as requiring improvement, given the operating conditions encountered therein. Furthermore, the back area of refrigerated storage units (trucks and containers) indicated less favourable operating conditions, particularly the area at the top of these units near the back. The load carrier and tertiary packaging as well as a global transporter’s interaction with the packaging system were identified as areas of concern within the packaging system evaluation. The efficiency of logistics processes was influenced and disrupted by a lack of refrigeration during transportation stages of the supply chain and dissatisfactory PSC features related to logistics activities. The influence of operating conditions and packaging on fruit quality was explored, showing the impact of these factors on prolonging shelf life, maintaining fruit quality and preventing food loss and waste.