Record the interval from citrus harvest to packing

Link field shade, harvest time and packhouse receipt to the lot; take cooling targets from variety-specific instructions.

18 April 2025Updated 23 September 2026

Short answer

For each lot, record harvest start and end, time in shade and packhouse receipt. Measure representative fruit temperature and ambient conditions using the product protocol; confirm the applicable target for the variety with the buyer or post-harvest owner. Flag delays or deviations and refer cooling and dispatch decisions to the authorized person.

The condition of harvested citrus can change between grove and packing area. Make that interval visible first with lot and time records.

Manage field waiting

Mark the picking-crate lot code, fill time and time moved into shade. Keep crates out of direct sun; log bruising or spillage.

Measure packhouse receipt

Record receipt time, waiting location and representative fruit measurement according to variety and product protocol. Do not use air temperature as a substitute for fruit temperature.

Verify the pre-cooling decision

Follow the method in the buyer specification and variety-specific post-harvest instructions. Do not apply one generic target to every type and variety.