Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia

It is estimated that in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, annual postharvest loss of fruits and vegetables is as high as 30-40%. To elucidate causes of such high postharvest losses, an analysis of the cold chain systems in these countries was made. Bosnia and Herzegovina has 61266 t of total storage capacity (16980 t of CA storage). Main fruit crop is plum (142200 t), but most of this crop is processed into brandy. The second fruit crop is apple (63600 t) and the lack of appropriate storage capacity for this crop is evident. In Croatia there is about 125000 t of storage capacity. CA storage comprises only 33750 t and is mainly used for apple. Annual apple production in Croatia is 70100 t, which means that CA storage should be doubled to allow storage of whole crop in adequate conditions. Total capacity for refrigerated or frozen storage in Serbia was estimated at 550.000 t. Most of this capacity is used for frozen raspberries (more of 100.000 t). Serbian CA storage capacity is between 50.000-60.000 t. Annual apple production in Serbia is 241200 t, and the lack of appropriate storage space is evident. Vegetable production is similar for all three countries (potatoes and cabbage crops are the most produced crops). In Serbia, there are relatively few cold storage facilities, with small capacities (150 and 2500 t), for storing fresh vegetables (carrot, parsnip, onion and potatoes) and similar situation is in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Postharvest losses in studied countries are mainly caused by physiological disorders, decay and deterioration caused by broad spectrum of products stored in inadequate conditions. Main physiological fruit disorders are superficial scald, bitter pit and chilling injury. Decay caused by phytopathogenic fungi and weight loss significantly contributes to high postharvest losses in some crops (peach, nectarine, satsuma and carrot). To improve situation and decrease postharvest losses of the horticultural products, there is an urgent need for establishing long-term network among all segments of postharvest sector. Founding applicative postharvest research suited to specific situation in described countries is of vital importance to achieve competitiveness of domestic postharvest sector.