PACKAGING

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At CultivaLink Global, packaging plays a critical role in ensuring that rice, millets, cereals, pulses, coffee, and tea reach international markets in optimum condition, retaining freshness, flavor, and safety throughout the logistics chain. Each category of product requires tailored packaging solutions based on product sensitivity, shelf life, moisture tolerance, and buyer preferences.

For rice, millets, cereals, and pulses, packaging materials must be strong, moisture-resistant, and food-grade. Commonly used bulk packaging includes woven polypropylene (PP) bags with laminated or LDPE liners to prevent moisture ingress and spoilage. For premium shipments, especially in retail markets, BOPP laminated bags or kraft paper bags with inner linings are preferred for their visual appeal and barrier protection. Sizes typically range from 25 kg to 50 kg for bulk orders, and from 500g to 10kg for retail packaging. All packs must be properly sealed, clearly labeled, and palletized with stretch film to prevent shifting or damage in transit. Desiccant sachets may be added in containers to maintain dryness, and fumigation should be carried out when required by importing countries.

Coffee and tea are highly sensitive to moisture, aroma loss, and contamination. Therefore, packaging must ensure a barrier to oxygen, humidity, and odors. Green coffee beans are generally packed in jute bags with GrainPro or similar hermetic liners to preserve quality and prevent pest infestation. Roasted coffee may be packed in high-barrier foil pouches with one-way degassing valves to maintain aroma while allowing CO₂ to escape. Tea leaves (especially orthodox and specialty teas) are packed in moisture-resistant aluminum foil pouches or paper sacks with polyliners, then placed in fiberboard cartons for export. Retail packaging of coffee and tea (e.g., tins, sachets, ziplock pouches) must be designed to preserve freshness and align with the branding requirements of buyers.

All packaging must include accurate labeling in compliance with the destination country’s regulations. This includes the product name, variety, net weight, batch or lot number, packing date, best-before date, country of origin, allergen declaration (if applicable), handling instructions, and exporter/importer details. For organic or specialty certifications (e.g., USDA Organic, Fair Trade), the relevant logos and certification numbers must be clearly displayed. Container loads must be inspected before shipping, and packaging integrity must be checked to avoid contamination, pest issues, or rejection at port of entry.

These packaging protocols ensure that CultivaLink Global maintains the highest standards of quality, traceability, and compliance in food exports, safeguarding both our brand and our clients’ satisfaction.

At CultivaLink Global, packaging of fruits for export is handled with the utmost care to preserve freshness, prevent physical damage, and comply with international phytosanitary and food safety standards. Since fruits are highly perishable, packaging solutions must provide adequate protection, ventilation, and strength throughout the supply chain — from farm to foreign shelf. Packaging materials used must be food-grade, eco-friendly where possible, and compliant with both the destination country’s regulations and buyer specifications.

The primary packaging typically consists of corrugated fiberboard cartons or telescopic boxes, which are moisture-resistant and ventilated to allow airflow, reducing ethylene buildup and heat during transit. Cartons may be lined with soft fruit trays, molded pulp, or foam nets to prevent bruising, especially for delicate fruits like apples, pears, mangoes, or avocados. For citrus and tropical fruits, plastic crates or ventilated reusable bins may be used depending on export route and shelf life requirements. Internal padding using tissue paper, foam sleeves, or poly-liners further protects fruits from abrasion and microbial exposure.

Packaging must be standardized based on fruit size, variety, and buyer specification — for instance, 3kg, 5kg, 10kg, or 20kg cartons — and all packages must be clearly labeled with product name, net weight, country of origin, grade, variety, packing date, expiry/use-by date, batch number, and exporter/importer details. Export compliance marks, such as GlobalG.A.P. number, organic certification logos, and traceability codes (barcodes or QR codes), must be included where applicable.

Temperature-sensitive fruits require cold chain packaging and handling, including pre-cooling after harvest, cold storage, and refrigerated containers (reefers) during shipping. Humidity levels must be controlled, and ethylene-sensitive fruits (e.g., bananas, avocados) should be segregated accordingly. In some cases, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) or controlled atmosphere containers (CA) are used to extend shelf life during long sea voyages.

Export-bound fruit loads must be inspected for pests, diseases, and mechanical damage. Cartons are palletized, shrink-wrapped, and labeled with pallet IDs and container tracking info. Fumigation, if required by the importing country, must be carried out and certified before shipping. Additionally, fruit packaging should follow the guidelines of international bodies such as APEDA (India), Codex Alimentarius, and destination country phytosanitary regulations (e.g., USDA, EU).

These practices ensure that CultivaLink Global delivers high-quality, compliant, and fresh fruit exports to global clients while minimizing post-harvest losses and maintaining brand integrity.

At CultivaLink Global, the export packaging of vegetables is designed to preserve freshness, reduce spoilage, and maintain strict hygiene standards during transit from farm to overseas destinations. Vegetables, being highly perishable and sensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations, require specially tailored packaging materials and handling practices that meet international food safety and phytosanitary standards.

Fresh vegetables are typically packed in ventilated corrugated fiberboard cartons, plastic crates, or returnable plastic containers (RPCs) depending on the product type, shipping duration, and market preference. These containers must be sturdy, food-grade, and resistant to moisture, with built-in ventilation slots to ensure proper air circulation and temperature control. For leafy greens, herbs, and soft vegetables (like tomatoes or bell peppers), internal liners such as perforated poly bags, absorbent pads, or film wraps are used to minimize moisture accumulation and physical damage. Hardier vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and carrots may be packed in mesh bags or jute sacks with inner liners to allow breathability while reducing abrasion.

Packaging must be standardized for export with weight specifications (commonly 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, or 25kg packs) and should allow for easy palletization and stacking. All export packs must carry accurate and compliant labeling, which includes the product name, net weight, grade, variety (if applicable), country of origin, pack date, expiry or best-before date, and the exporter/importer details. Where applicable, traceability codes, organic logos, GlobalG.A.P. numbers, or other certification marks must be clearly displayed on both primary and outer packaging.

To preserve quality during transit, especially for temperature-sensitive vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and lettuce, cold chain logistics must be maintained — starting from pre-cooling immediately after harvest, followed by cold storage, and shipment in refrigerated containers (reefers) at the recommended temperature and humidity levels. Ethylene-producing and ethylene-sensitive vegetables should be separated to prevent premature spoilage.

All packaging materials and processes must comply with international regulations such as Codex Alimentarius, phytosanitary standards, and the importing country’s guidelines (e.g., USDA, EU, or GCC standards). Containers are to be palletized, shrink-wrapped, and labeled with container ID numbers, handling instructions (e.g., “Perishable – Keep Cool”), and fumigation certificates if required. Strict quality checks are conducted before shipment to ensure no presence of pests, rot, or contamination.

With these practices, CultivaLink Global ensures the export of high-quality, compliant, and fresh vegetables that meet global expectations while minimizing wastage and protecting brand reputation.