Preserving Freshness and Boosting Profits: A Look at the Post-Harvest Treatment Market

The global post-harvest treatment market size was valued at USD 2.01 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.12 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.6%. This growth reflects the urgent need to reduce losses in fruits and vegetables—commodities that are highly perishable and often lost between harvest and consumption.

Why Post-Harvest Treatments Are Essential

Between 30 and 40% of fruits and vegetables are lost after harvest, translating into wasted food and lost revenue. Post-harvest treatments play a critical role in:

• Extending shelf life
• Reducing susceptibility to rot and deterioration
• Enabling better market access and higher profits

These treatments also facilitate the export of exotic fruits such as avocados, dragon fruits, and jackfruit, making the market more sustainable and profitable.

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Drivers Fueling Market Growth

Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable due to their metabolic activity. Losses are caused by a variety of factors, including bacteria, insects, moisture loss, respiration, and exposure to gases like ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Effective post-harvest treatments help mitigate these risks, ensuring that consumers receive fresh produce.

The rising demand for organic and sustainable foods is another key driver. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing food safety and quality, boosting the need for chemical-free, environmentally friendly post-harvest solutions. This aligns with the latest post-harvest treatment market trends, as sustainable and organic methods gain popularity.

Challenges in Adoption

Despite clear benefits, adoption faces hurdles:

• Inadequate infrastructure and mechanization: In many emerging countries, storage, handling, and transport facilities are limited, leading to losses during drying, storage, and chemical application.
• Limited awareness among farmers: In nations like India, Iran, and Cambodia, farmers often underestimate the value of post-harvest treatments, limiting market penetration.

Educational programs and infrastructure investment are essential to overcome these challenges.

Segmentation Insights

By Type: Coatings Lead

Coatings are increasingly popular due to their ability to prolong shelf life while offering convenience for pre-cut and pre-washed fruits and vegetables. Both natural and synthetic coatings are in demand, reflecting a shift toward healthier and sustainable consumer choices.

By Crop: Fruits in Focus

Fruits, often eaten raw, are more prone to spoilage than vegetables. Their seasonal nature also drives the need for post-harvest treatments to ensure year-round availability.

By Origin: Synthetic Dominates

Synthetic post-harvest treatments are widely used due to cost-effectiveness, ease of application, and ongoing research for more efficient solutions. While natural treatments are gaining traction, synthetic products still hold a major post-harvest treatment market share.

Regional Growth: Spotlight on Asia Pacific

Agriculture remains the backbone of countries like India, where modern practices are being adopted to meet demand for high-quality produce. Government initiatives such as soil testing and nutrient supplementation are helping farmers improve crop quality, driving growth in the post-harvest treatment sector.

Leading Market Players

Key post-harvest treatment companies with strong distribution networks, R&D capabilities, and manufacturing facilities include:

• JBT (US)
• AgroFresh (US)
• Syngenta Crop Protection AG (Switzerland)
• DECCO (US)
• BASF (Germany)
• Apeel Sciences (US)
• Futureco Bioscience (Spain)
• Hazel Technologies, Inc. (US)

These players are innovating to provide more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly solutions for fresh produce preservation.

Future Outlook

The post-harvest treatment market is moving toward organic, bio-based, and sustainable solutions. Coupled with improved infrastructure and farmer awareness, these developments position the market for robust growth in the coming years.

FAQs

Q1: What drives the post-harvest treatment market?
A1: The need to reduce losses of perishable fruits and vegetables and maintain quality is the primary growth driver.

Q2: Which crop segment leads the market?
A2: Fruits dominate due to their high perishability and seasonal nature.

Q3: Which treatment types are gaining popularity?
A3: Coatings, especially those that are natural and sustainable, are growing in demand.

Q4: Which region shows strong market potential?
A4: Asia Pacific, especially countries like India, is emerging as a key growth region.

Q5: Who are the leading companies in this market?
A5: Major players include JBT, AgroFresh, Syngenta, DECCO, BASF, and Apeel Sciences.