Optimising Orange Quality Through Postharvest Warehousing Systems

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the implementation of postharvest warehousing operations in maintaining orange quality and supporting the distribution of horticultural products to consumers. The research employed a qualitative descriptive approach through field observations and interviews with warehouse owners and workers directly involved in operational activities. The findings reveal that the warehousing system has implemented integrated operational stages consisting of put away, storage, receiving, picking, ancillary activities, packing, and shipping. The storage stage emerged as the most critical process due to its role in maintaining product quality through controlled air ventilation and fruit ripening during the storage period. In addition, the application of grading based on fruit quality contributed to market segmentation and helped preserve the commercial value of the products before distribution. The study also found that most warehouse activities were still conducted manually, potentially increasing the risk of distribution delays and inventory management errors when demand volume rises. Therefore, the development of simple digital inventory recording systems and more modern storage management practices may serve as alternative strategies to improve the operational effectiveness of horticultural warehousing in the future.