Origin Fruit Group Mango Packing Protocol

QUALITY STANDARDS

*Images from Queensland Mango Quality Assessment Manual

Quality control DEFECTS | ALL EU CLASS I

PHYSICAL DAMAGE includes abrasions, punctures, crease marks, and cuts, often appearing as fine brown scratches, indentations, or skin cuts. Common causes are secateurs, impacts with sharp edges on harvest aids, crates, bins, or packing line equipment, as well as collisions with tree branches or other fruit. Dust and dirt on tar paulins or field bins, along with excessive vibration during transport when fruit are loose-packed in plastic liners, can also contribute to this issue.

NO

NO

NO

NO

ABRASION is characterised by small, light brown streaks or scratches, often occurring alongside skin browning. This damage is typically superficial and caused by rough han dling, abrasive surfaces on dirty or worn equipment, and grit or dust on harvest aid tarpau lins or packing equipment. The risk of abrasion increases after wet weather at harvest, as moisture makes the skin more susceptible to damage.

NO

STEM PUNCTURES appear as small, brown, near-circular marks on the fruit, often slightly sunken. They are typically caused by the stem button of another fruit striking the surface, throwing fruit onto harvest aids, or excessive drops into field bins or on packing lines. The damage may be more pronounced after prolonged rain before harvest, as wet conditions can make the skin more sensitive.

NO

CREASES manifest as random, irregular, sunken brown lines, indentations, or marks on the fruit. They are often more severe in over-ripe fruit. Causes include impacts on sharp edges of harvest aids, picking crates, bulk bins, or packing equipment. Damage can also result from loose-packing in crumpled plastic liners, excessive vibration during transport, or storing ripe fruit in crumpled liners for extended periods after packing. SCRATCHES appear as fine brown marks on the skin without indentation. These are often caused by secateurs during picking, rough handling such as pulling fruit through the tree canopy, or throwing fruit onto harvest aids. Excessive drops into field bins or onto packing lines can also lead to scratching.

NO

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Origin Fruit Group | Mango Packing Guide