Postharvest market quality preferences for fruit and vegetables

The mean price level of fruit and vegetables is dependent on supply and demand. Specific price differences are important and dependent mostly on external and internal quality criteria. There exists differences in preference from person to person and from area to area. Optimum apple quality values are recommended by supermarkets and traders. Non-destructive methods are studied to determining market quality. Post-harvest technologies have to be adapted to the consumers and traders requirements, the level of the quality and the shelf-life of the crop produced, the profitable technology available and the marketing structure.