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.
FAQs
1. What are post-harvest treatments?
Post-harvest treatments are methods and products used to preserve fruits and vegetables after harvest. They help extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and maintain quality during storage, transport, and sale.
2. Why are post-harvest treatments important?
Without proper treatments, 30–40% of fruits and vegetables can be lost between harvest and consumption. These treatments reduce rot, deterioration, and waste, improving food security and profitability for farmers and distributors.
3. What factors cause post-harvest losses?
Losses occur due to bacteria, insects, moisture loss, respiration, and exposure to gases like ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
4. What types of post-harvest treatments are commonly used?
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Coatings: Both natural and synthetic, they extend shelf life and are convenient for pre-cut or pre-washed produce.
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Chemical treatments: Widely used for cost-effectiveness and ease of application.
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Organic and sustainable methods: Gaining popularity due to rising consumer demand for safe, chemical-free produce.
5. Which crops benefit most from post-harvest treatments?
Fruits are the primary focus since they are often eaten raw and are more prone to spoilage. Vegetables also benefit, particularly those with high water content or delicate skin.
6. Are synthetic or natural treatments more popular?
Synthetic treatments currently dominate due to their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Natural treatments are growing in demand, driven by consumer preference for sustainable and healthy options.