According to statistics from ASOEX, exports of Chilean plums to China during the 2022/23 season reached a record high of 55,000 tons. Mily Guo, a representative for Shenzhen Sigmawit Technology Co., Ltd., a provider of IoT-based monitoring solutions, states that plums have consequently become the second-most significant category of Chilean fresh fruit exported to China, following cherries. With the new Chilean stone fruit season approaching, Guo expects the focus on maintaining quality during long-distance shipping to intensify:
"Fruits like plums present specific logistical challenges. Typically harvested in high-temperature conditions, they exhibit high respiratory activity, which accelerates nutrient loss and increases susceptibility to decay. Rapid pre-cooling to below 5°C within 24 hours of harvest is critical to inhibit diseases. Furthermore, as climacteric fruit, plums continue to ripen post-harvest. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide during transit can adversely affect fruit quality, leading to a reduced shelf life and potential spoilage."
© Sigmawit
To provide greater visibility into transport conditions for goods sensitive to environmental factors, Shenzhen Sigmawit has developed the single-use and multi-use real-time data logger, Guo explains. "This device monitors temperature, humidity, light exposure, and vibration levels. Its operational temperature range is specified from -30°C to +70°C. A notable feature is its ability to detect events such as door openings or container breaches, even in low-light conditions. Data is transmitted via 4G LTE connectivity, allowing stakeholders to view conditions through a web dashboard or a mobile application, compatible with both iOS and Android. The system supports device sharing, enabling multiple parties to monitor a single shipment simultaneously."
The ease of monitoring the data has been an important focus for the product, Guo emphasizes: "The product incorporates a dual-system architecture, allowing for data offloading via a USB interface for local PDF report generation or through remote access via Sigmawit's cloud platform. It's equipped with a custom low-temperature LCD screen for clear, at-a-glance status checks. The logger is designed for continuous operation up to 120 days, with a storage capacity for over 28,800 readings."
"The performance of the logger is designed to be robust for the demanding environment of long-haul logistics. It serves as a cost-effective tool for the transportation and storage of perishable items, incorporating alert mechanisms to facilitate timely interventions and automating data analysis for compliance and operational review. With global markets fully accessible and sea freight costs trending downward, the volume of fruit and fresh product trade is expected to rise. This growth is anticipated to correspondingly increase the demand for precise, real-time monitoring solutions throughout the supply chain," Guo concludes.
For more information:
Mily Guo
SigmaWit
[email protected]
www.sigmawit.com
