SECTION 2. POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY OF CHESTNUTS

2.7 Transport

Transport is very important step of distribution chain. Very well stored chestnuts can be reduced in quality by inefficient transport system. Even for transport the 3 Cs (Cleanliness, Care, and Cooling) are valid.

2.7.1 Land Transport

Case 1. Land transport for 5-10 hours

1. if temperature is high: refrigerated truck would be better, but alternative is to use not refrigerated truck, open vehicle with frames for easy stacking, cover with white tarpaulin drapes which can be pulled along the sides and back to allow the access for loading and unloading at any point (warm air ventilation is very bad for chestnuts);
2. if the temperature is low: use the same truck and the same cover but leave openings in the front and in the back of tarpaulin drape to make a fresh air stream.

Case 2. Land transport longer than 10 hours

1. if temperature is high: use ventilated, refrigerated truck and stacking
   accurately chestnuts boxes or jute sacks leaving 10 cm space between the two lines of pallets and between pallets and walls;
2. 5. if the temperature is low: use as case 1.2

Precautions:

• ensure that vehicle is properly maintained, clean, and works efficiently;
• distribute the weight evenly;
• stack very tightly the boxes if the chestnuts are cold and dry truck is used without ventilation;
• use cardboard or inflated cushion to block the load during the transport;
• in the refrigerated truck check the temperature and eventually place temperature recorder, sealed, which will be opened by you or by the receiver.

2.7.2 Sea Transport

Shipping by sea is even depending on the travel time. In this case the use of boxes is much better than the use of jute sacks. Boxes must be stacked in the shadow but sea air ventilation with high humidity is worthwhile for chestnuts. If temperature is high, palletised boxes must be stacked in the cold hold of the ship.

2.7.3 Air Transport

Flight transport is useful for supreme quality chestnuts which must have shipped for long distance. Transport speed guarantees quality maintenance but some precautions are needed:

1. loading must be quick; before loading chestnuts must be kept in the shadow;
2. chestnut must be wrapped with plastic film and then placed in the box to reduce water loss during the flight;
3. unloading must be quick.

2.8 Merchandising

Merchandising is the technique to attract the customer.
4 keywords are used: product, price, promotion, and position (4 Ps).
Even chestnuts must follow these keywords especially if they want to be sold in the big food store.

1. pack supreme quality chestnuts with high quality package and label for quality certification (see subsection Quality parameters);
2. ask the food store manager to keep chestnuts refrigerated close to fruits and vegetables items;
3. give information about the provenience, quality process, nutritive value, recipes;
4. quality must guarantee the price.