Recommended Handling protocol and Packing Instructions

OKRA must be handled according to the recommended postharvest handling procedures for Okra such as cooling, grading and sorting per export quality standards.

1. Harvest should be avoided when the fruits are excessively wet (such as mist or after rain).

2. Due to the perishable nature of okra, harvesting should be done on the day of shipment (or latest day preceding shipment)

3. Fruits (pods) should be handled gently to avoid bruising (preferably workers wearing rubber glove).

4. Oversized and damaged (bruised) pods should be removed.

5. Collection field crates should be very well VENTILATED and SHALLOW.

6. Sacks or bags should not be used at this stage since they will cause rapid heat build up.

7. Full crates should be placed in shaded area.

8. Full crates should be trucked to the packing house with refrigerated truck (or at least in a shaded truck if trucking time is short).

9. Pre-Cool the fruits to the optimum recommended temperature (10ºC) before packing in the ZOEpac MA bags. Lower temperature may cause injuries to the pods!

10. Place the ZOEpac MA bag in the export boxes.

11. Place the fruits pods (after pre-cooling) into the ZOEpac MA bags.

12. Expel out as much as possible of the air from the ZOEpac bag before closing the bag.

13. Close the ZOEpac bag with rubber band or closure clip. Make sure that the bag is well closed (twist and folding over making a U shape then clips or rubber band tight it).

14. Cooling chain MUST be maintained throughout handling and transportation of OKRA (10ºC). Again, lower temperature may cause severe chilling injuries that will be observed on the shelf (after the MA bags opening!).

15. Due to the sensitivity nature of the OKRA to ETHYLENE, Cooling, packing and storage area (including freight containers) MUST be Ethylene free (Less than 0.5 ppm) all times!