Maintaining Quality and Safety: Transporting Perishable Goods
India is the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables — Production of around 300 million tons per year. According to a rough estimate as per 2021, India experienced a significant food wastage problem, with approximately 40% of its annual food production going to waste. This wastage primarily stemmed from fragmented food systems and inefficient supply chains. What added to the irony is that a substantial portion of this loss occurred even before the food reached the consumer. Inadequate storage and transportation facilities for perishable food items in India have resulted in significant challenges and wastage which has raised concerns among various stakeholders in the food supply chain, as also highlighted in a September 2022 article . Traders often face difficulties finding space in trains, leading them to abandon perishable items that rot easily. In some cases, the food is dumped in the parcel area of railway stations, obstructing deliveries and causing fina