Introduction
Garlic is a restaurant staple and delivers an unmatchable aroma and flavors. Growth and delivery of the garlic is essential for the suppliers to distant places.
But transporting garlic is no walk in the park. You have to fight tons of factors:
- Temperature fluctuations
- Humidity control
- Ventilation issues lead to sprouting, mold, or rot.
Without these factors, you’ll dump all your money in the bin. So, how do you store and ship garlic?
If you have all the questions flashing through your brain, relax! We have added the hacks to transporting garlic from the far end of the world.
Garlic pre-shipment preparation
If you want to bring garlic to the plate, transporting garlic preparation is half the battle won. But how do you prepare? Are there any specific preparation hacks?
We have added all the answers.
Temperature Preparation
Temperature is crucial. Imagine you have set an optimal temperature required for the storage and delivery. Don’t you think your garlic will reach your home safely?
100% it will reach with guaranteed safety. There are different temperature ranges with other impacts.
For example:
- Below 0°C increases the risks of cold damage, leading to texture deterioration.
- 10°C is the best and most favorable temperature to reduce respiratory activity and delay spoilage.
- Above 15°C speeds up spoilage, making garlic turn sour in the blink of an eye.
You must stay within the temperature limits if you don’t want to create a negative buzz.
Sorting and Quality Check
There is more to do to prevent the spillage of garlic during the journey.
- Remove damaged or wet bulbs. There will be no more microbial growth during transportation.
- One bad apple spoils the bunch. It perfectly applies here. Discard bulbs with mold, bruising, or excessive moisture. It will keep the other bulbs and garlic safe.
Garlic temperature and humidity control
Proper temperature and humidity are the name of the game. A slight fluctuation above the required levels is the death of the garlic. So, we have showered light on the favorite temperature, humidity, and some advanced IoT-enabled devices.
Temperature Control
Temperature is the game-changer. A slight high temperature can instantly damage your garlic.
So, what is the favorable temperature for garlic growth?
- Favorable Temperature: 0-15°C is the best temperature range that works as a substantial brick wall to damage.
- Too cold (below 0°C): Causes freezing damage.
- Too warm (above 15°C): Leads to premature sprouting and rot.
Temperature fluctuations below and above limits can throw a wrench into the work. Therefore, box your items in an excellent temperature-controlled box.
Humidity Management
Suppose there is humidity outside. What do you think will happen to the garlic?
The biggest problems are the bacteria and other organisms. They will instantly grow into the garlic and spoil it.
You should maintain a 65–75% relative humidity (RH). Keeping too high (>75% RH) causes mold growth. Garlic rots like there’s no tomorrow.
Having too low (<65% RH) humidity is also toxic for the garlic. It causes dehydration, leaving garlic dry and brittle.
IoT enabled Devices
You have stored garlic in the temperature-controlled boxes; how do you know the temperature inside them? Is it even favorable or causing damage to the garlic?
Catch the answer to all your questions with advanced devices and solutions. One of the most common names is the TagPlus-TH USB loggers or similar IoT devices.
They offer a temperature screening and help users stay ahead with the control. You can generate reports as well to verify the easy approval by the authorities.
Packaging and Ventilation Strategies
Transportating garlic is not an easy task. Bringing inadequate packaging can turn your whole shipment into a time-ticking bomb.
You should have a proper plan and chase the right way to avoid all the hassles. Here are a few tips to elevate the security of your packaging and transporting garlic.
Breathable Packaging
Breathable packaging is a first line of defense for consumers. It offers the ultimate protection and provides instant ventilation services.
Why is breathable packaging necessary? It is because of proper ventilation that keeps the molds miles away.
The favorite breathable materials with their features are:
Mesh Bags
- Allow maximum airflow.
- Prevent excessive moisture accumulation.
- It is ideal for bulk storage and short-term transport.
Perforated Plastic Bags
- Maintain humidity balance while preventing excessive dehydration.
- Protect garlic from contaminants without trapping moisture.
Corrugated Cardboard with Air Vents
- Used for boxed garlic exports.
- Sturdy yet breathable
You should avoid vacuum-sealed containers for long-term storage to reduce anaerobic decay.
Container Ventilation
Ventilation panels avoid the hot mess and preserve the garlic better. But the question is about improper ventilation. What can it do?
- It creates heat pockets that accelerate spoilage.
- There is excess humidity and spoilage.
- Carbon buildup increases, leading to decreased respiration.
Do you want to avoid it? Have some proper plans. Install the following things.
- Use Airflow-Optimized Pallets
- Leave Space for Air Circulation
- Install Ventilation Panels at the Bottom of Containers
These are must-have things to do. But there are many things to avoid as well. Those include:
- Don’t seal containers tightly.
- Avoid overfilling containers.
Container Management and Loading Techniques
It is not just the ventilation that matters but also other factors related to container management and loading. Usually, you should work on the tried-and-true practices for the best results. Let’s discuss the following techniques.
Loading Best Practices
Shipping invites the choppy waters to bumpy roads, causing the ultimate error and problem. To prevent garlic, you should deploy:
- Employ Experienced Workers. They provide the expertise to load and stack the garlic effectively.
- Shock absorbers. Use foam pads & cushioning layers. They prevent the damage.
- Stack smartly. Develop a smart strategy. For example, place heavy loads at the bottom and lighter on top.
You should never leave too much space or stack garlic too high. It will have several issues when you try to separate the quality of garlic.
Employ experienced workers to optimize stacking and minimize physical damage.
Cold Chain Logistics
What will happen if the temperature doesn’t get controlled? Everyone claims the decaying of the garlic.
Is it even possible? Let’s check what Temperature fluctuations cause during transporting garlic.
- Too warm? Garlic starts growing.
- Too humid? Garlic gets moldy.
- Too cold? Texture deteriorates.
Role of reefers
Reefers offer a temperature control that can prevent damage to the garlic. They can help with the optimal conditions during transporting garlic, such as:
- Maintain garlic at 0–15°C. It will avoid premature sprouting or freezing.
- Regulate 65–75% relative humidity. There is no more excessive moisture loss or accumulation.
Avoid mixing with ethylene-producing cargo, such as apples, to prevent premature budding.
Documentation and Compliance
Failing to meet the export and import regulations for transporting garlic does no magic for the approval. You’ll get instant rejection of the products at the customs borders. It is even worse not to have the necessary documents and certificates that prove the authenticity of the garlic.
Basic Certificates
Exporters should place essential certificates and keep everything above board. So, what are the fundamental certificates required?
- Phytosanitary Certificate. These certificates give ideas about the garlic quality and confirm the garlic is pest- and disease-free.
- Certificate of Origin. Where is your garlic produced originally? Verifies the garlic’s country of production.
- ISO 22000 / HACCP Compliance Report. Some international certificates ensure food safety. They are a green ticket at the international borders and give access to the garlic market.
Customs Clearance
Customs are the authorities that approve the products at the borders. For instant clearance, you should work with a professional freight forwarder.
Look at the following features:
- Experience of the freight forwarders
- Strong ability to collect documents.
- Eye on the previous records
You must comply with regional regulations, such as EU organic labeling or GCC standards.
Crucial Data and Compliance Standards for the Garlic Shipping and Storage
If you are transporting garlic from China or other Asian countries, you must look at the temperature control during storage and proper documentation.
Guess what? You can’t even miss a single certificate, as it can cause several storage-related issues. However, we have compiled all the tips and hacks for optimal garlic delivery to your doorstep.
Parameter | Recommended Standard |
Pre-shipment Temperature | 10°C (Prevents early spoilage) |
Storage Temperature | 0–15°C (Avoid freezing or excessive heat) |
Humidity Range | 65–75% RH (Prevents mold or dehydration) |
Packaging Type | Mesh bags / perforated plastic (Allows ventilation) |
Ventilation Strategy | Ventilation panels in containers (Prevents heat pockets) |
Export Documentation | Phytosanitary, Certificate of Origin, HACCP |
Conclusion
Storage and transporting garlic is not beating about the bush. You have to get out of your comfort zone and mull over some tried-and-true strategies. There is no more luck but planning. For example:
- Prepare your garlic before shipping.
- Play an accurate temperature.
- Bright and ventilated packaging is one of the most effective solutions.
Do you want the best quality garlic supplier with guaranteed safe shipping? Look no further. We have FENDUNI garlic suppliers. They are the most famous garlic suppliers with premium quality and affordable prices. You’ll chase down the best garlic in the town.