Rapid cooling and prompt marketing are critical.
After harvest, the most critical factors to monitor for strawberry quality maintenance are pulp temperatures and time delays in the system. The faster the fruit are cooled and the closer the pulp temperature is maintained to 0°C (32°F), the higher the fruit quality and the longer the shelf life. Low temperatures slow fruit softening and slow growth of decay-causing pathogens.
The time between harvest and cooling of the berries is critical for quality and shelf life. A record of harvest time and picker number should be kept with each tray harvested. The elapsed time from harvest to cooler should be recorded along with fruit pulp temperatures. A management decision must be made regarding the acceptable time from harvest to cooler. Less than a one hour delay is recommended to avoid losses in strawberry quality and postharvest life. An investment in additional small trucks and drivers may be necessary to ensure more frequent trips to the cooler.