How to increase apple shelf life after harvest

The shelf life of apples after harvest depends on many factors – from the moment of harvest, through storage, to sorting and packing. Proper preparation of apples can significantly extend their shelf life and reduce losses during storage.

What affects apple shelf life

The most important factors affecting apple shelf life:

• harvest timing,
• storage temperature,
• air humidity,
• mechanical damage,
• storage diseases,
• sorting quality.

Key principles for increasing apple shelf life

1. Harvest at the right time

Harvesting too early or too late reduces apple shelf life.

2. Rapid cooling

Apples should be cooled as quickly as possible after harvest.

3. Damage reduction

Damaged apples spoil much faster and can cause other fruit in the bin to spoil.

4. Quality sorting

Removal of apples that are:

• damaged,
• diseased,
• with internal defects,
• overripe.

Quality sorting allows for longer storage and transport of apples. Modern sorting machines can detect external and internal defects, ensuring that only apples of appropriate quality go into storage:
https://greensort.com/en/products/fruit-sorters/

Summary

Apple shelf life depends not only on cold storage, but on the entire process:

• harvest,
• transport,
• sorting,
• packing.

Quality control at the sorting stage has a very large impact on how long apples can be stored.