Perishable goods are the biggest challenge for suppliers and sellers. From packaging, storing, loading, transportation, and storage in warehouses, these goods are always on the concern list till they reach the customers in the best condition. The freight forwarders have to keep in mind multiple well-tailored steps to transport them. From selecting the right packaging to labeling, express delivery and more, the perishable goods need to be managed with all facts and figures. Read the blog and get to know about how the process of transporting perishable cargo is done to maintain top-notch quality standards.
What are Perishable Goods?
The word perish means decay, so perishable goods according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) mean the items that are likely to lose their freshness and spoil, decay, or become unsafe for consumption if not properly refrigerated. To keep them fresh and consumable they need to be frozen at 0 °F or below or kept refrigerated at 40 °F or below.
Some of the best examples of perishable goods are:
- Dairy Products
- Poultry
- Meat
- Ready to eat food
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Seafood
- Plants
- Flowers
- Pharmaceuticals
- Online food ordered
The refrigeration is done to slow down the process of tarnishing due to the bacteria which are mainly of two types. Pathogenic bacteria are responsible for foodborne illness and spoilage bacteria causes unpleasant odors and taste.
How is Packaging of Perishable Goods Done?
The packaging of perishable cargo is done using special containers that are refrigerated at ideally low temperatures to keep the food safe. Some medicines are very sensitive to temperatures and need to be stored in specially designed boxes.
Modes of Transporting Perishable Goods
The perishable goods should always be transported by express delivery. There are mainly three modes of transporting perishable cargo.
- Airways
The best way of transporting perishable cargo is via express delivery of airways. It helps to deliver the goods in a very short period of time while keeping them safe at the ideal temperatures. If you want to deliver products internationally, then airways are the best choice.
- Waterways
Specialized containers are designed for shipping perishable goods on time while keeping them fresh. The refrigerated boxes are perfect for dairy products, seafood, medicines, and even flowers. They are budget-friendly as compared to airways.
- Roadways
If you want to deliver perishable items like medicines, dairy products, meat, fish, and more, locally at a short distance, then roadways are the best way. They are budget-friendly and can be done using special containers, and ice boxes via trucks, vans, etc. But this way is not suitable for long-distance transportation and is considered by freight forwarders doing door-to-door delivery in Qatar. This way is also used for online food delivery.
Conditions for Perishable Goods Delivery
There are some conditions that should be followed to transport the perishable goods without any hassle. They include:
- Temperature
The main thing that matters a lot in the case of transporting perishable goods is temperature. For these reasons, temperature controllers are used and the team keeps on monitoring that the ideal temperature needs are met without any hassle.
- Container designs
The loading containers are ideally designed to transport temperature-sensitive cargo. They have refrigerating capacity to keep the goods safe and consumable.
- Express Delivery
One of the important factors is fast delivery by airways or the fastest way with the shortest route possible. It is important to keep the goods safe and fresh.
Six Considerations for Shipping Perishable Goods
There are various considerations that one has to keep in mind while delivering perishable goods.
- Pack with a Cold Source
- Sturdy Packaging
- Clearly Label Packaging
- Notify Customers of Expected Arrival
- Time Your Delivery
- Create a Clear Customer Policy
Challenges Of Transporting Perishable Cargo
The sellers and cargo forwards face the following challenges to keep the perishable cargo safe and fresh. From custom clearance in Qatar to proper refrigerated containers, many factors are required for a hassle-free delivery. The challenges include:
- Hot and Humid Weather
- Need for Temperature Control
- Need for specially designed refrigerated containers
- Express Delivery is needed
- Freshness of the cargo
- Custom clearance
Are you planning to transport perishable goods and worried about the whole logistics from packaging to labeling, loading, transporting, and delivery? Well, goods like dairy products, temperature-sensitive medicines, meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more need special attention and care for safe delivery. But this can be hectic and out of budget sometimes. One can avail of the best-in-class services of Travelite to transport the goods with utmost care without any hassle. A team of professionals, Travelite will help you to transport the goods in the best ways as we are all focused on consumer satisfaction.
