Abstract:
Avocados are a popular subtropical fruit of high economic importance, and the
European Union is the biggest importer of the bulk of the fruit coming from countries
such as South Africa, Chile, and Israel. The fruit is highly nutritious, being rich
in vitamins A, B, C, minerals, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants.
The biggest challenge is that the fruit is highly susceptible to qualitative and
quantitative postharvest losses. Successful maintenance of avocado fruit quality during
the supply chain depends on many aspects, including adequate orchard management
practices, harvesting practices, packing operations, postharvest treatments, temperature
management, transportation and storage conditions, and ripening at destination.
Postharvest losses are mostly attributed to flesh softening, decay, physiological disorders,
and improper temperature management. Management of the supply chain is
solely done to provide the fruit with the most favorable conditions to extend storage
life, and retain quality and nutritional attributes of the fruit. The focus of this review is
therefore to study the findings that have emanated from research done to retain overall
avocado fruit quality and to reduce postharvest losses during the supply chain through
the adoption of appropriate and novel postharvest technologies.
