Agriculture continues to be the cornerstone of global food security and rural livelihoods. By 2038, the world’s population is approaching 9 billion, 1 amplifying the demand for efficient food systems that minimise waste and protect produce quality throughout the supply chain.
Yet despite technological advances and policy efforts, significant portions of harvested crops never reach consumers at optimal quality or in consumable condition. These post-harvest losses, occurring between harvest and final consumption, represent a systemic challenge with economic, social and environmental consequences for farmers, supply chains and national food security.
The current landscape of post-harvest losses
Post-harvest losses occur across multiple stages: immediately after harvest at the farm, during storage, and as produce moves through distribution networks into retail. Recent data underscores the magnitude of this issue. As one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, India experiences post-harvest losses of around 15 per cent in horticulture, translating to nearly 15 million tonnes of produce lost annually.
For perishable commodities such as vegetables and fruits, losses can exceed 30-40%, driven by suboptimal temperature control, mechanical damage and microbial spoilage.3 In grains and staple crops, losses occur primarily through inadequate storage conditions, including moisture fluctuations that invite fungal growth and pest infestations, compounding economic losses for producers and supply chain stakeholders.
Emerging infrastructure and policy responses
Recognising the structural nature of this challenge, governments and industry actors are investing in cold chain and storage infrastructure. India’s Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme has approved hundreds of projects that collectively create tens of millions of tonnes of temperature-controlled storage capacity. These investments are complemented by enhanced pack houses, reefer vans and ripening chambers, improving the capacity to preserve quality from farm gate to market.
India has set a bold goal to bring post-harvest losses in horticulture down to under 5% by 2047, a significant reduction from current estimates exceeding 15%.4 Achieving this will require widespread deployment of cold chain solutions and digitised monitoring systems that maintain optimal conditions throughout storage and transit.
Modern storage technologies and handling practices
Cold storage alone does not guarantee quality retention. Effective storage integrates climatic control for temperature and humidity, plus real-time monitoring to pre-empt quality degradation. IoT-based sensors and machine-to-cloud platforms enable automated alerts when conditions drift beyond acceptable ranges, reducing reliance on manual inspection and streamlining corrective action. Heat-treated wooden pallets demonstrate proven performance under extreme temperature conditions, including storage at -20°C. Testing confirms structural stability and consistent load-bearing capacity throughout the cold-chain, addressing a critical factor in pharmaceutical logistics where pallet resilience directly impacts product integrity during transit.
Moreover, appropriate handling protocols using gentle loading and unloading techniques, and minimising sub-optimal exposure to ambient conditions, reduce mechanical damage and delay physiological deterioration that accelerates spoilage.
The strategic role of wooden pallets in supply chain integrity
Within the broader logistics system, equipment such as wooden pallets may appear unremarkable, but they have a significant impact on quality preservation and regulatory compliance. Wooden pallets provide a durable platform that distributes loads evenly and supports mechanised handling, reducing physical stress on packaging and its contents during storage and movement.
However, untreated wood can harbour pests, mould and moisture factors that can compromise produce quality and trigger regulatory holds. Thus, ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) compliance is essential. This global standard requires that wood packaging materials, such as pallets, be debarked and heat-treated to eliminate harmful organisms, making them suitable for domestic and international use.
Heat-treated pallets have demonstrable benefits: they reduce moisture content, resist fungal and insect infestation, and support hygiene requirements in cold chain environments. Recent industry data indicate that the global heat-treated wooden pallets market is expanding significantly, with adoption driven by regulatory compliance and reduced rates of shipment damage and customs delays.
Selecting pallets from responsibly managed sources also supports sustainability goals. A high proportion of wooden pallets are reused or recycled across multiple supply cycles, and sustainably sourced wood aligns with circular economy principles in logistics. Quality pallets are defined by their structural strength and low breakage rates, ensuring consistent performance and reduced risk across demanding supply chains.
Maintaining integrity in transportation
Transport is a critical link where quality can be rapidly lost if conditions fluctuate or delays occur. Refrigerated trucks and reefer containers must maintain steady temperatures and protect produce against shock and vibration. Integrating GPS tracking and real-time telemetry supports dynamic route optimisation, minimising delays and guarding against conditions that shorten shelf life.
Digitised logistics platforms can also improve coordination among aggregators, carriers and buyers, enabling fresher produce to reach markets quicker and reducing the time goods spend in non-refrigerated staging areas.
The road ahead
Reducing post-harvest losses requires an integrated, system-led approach where storage, handling, packaging, and transportation work seamlessly together. Investments in cold storage, real-time monitoring, and compliant infrastructure like heat-treated, ISPM-15 wooden pallets are essential for preserving quality, maintaining hygiene, and meeting regulatory standards. Technology alone is insufficient; consistent practices, standardisation, and accountability across the supply chain are key.
With growing policy support, private sector investment, and awareness among producers and logistics players, the opportunity to minimise losses while extending shelf life is significant. Protecting produce is both an economic and environmental priority, ensuring better returns for farmers, stronger supply chain resilience, and high-quality food reaching consumers with minimal waste.
The author is CEO & Managing Partner, M/s Jay Wood Industry
Published on February 28, 2026