Potato Cold Storages: Key Challenges and Cost-Saving Solutions
The successful storage of potatoes is often a challenging task. Since these crops are prone to a number of problems like sprouting, shrinking, and rotting, successfully storing potatoes is often a difficult task. Many potato farmers use cold storages, which are intended to keep potatoes fresh and avoid spoiling, to overcome these difficulties.
Because they are so effective at maintaining the quality and prolonging the shelf life of potatoes, potato cold storages are essential parts of the potato supply chain. In order to keep potatoes fresh and retain their nutritional value, cold storage facilities offer a regulated environment that manages temperature, humidity, and other factors. Running a potato cold storage facility, however, may be difficult and expensive. In order to increase productivity and cut expenses, store managers can use some of the cost-saving solutions we’ve outlined in this article to overcome some of the major difficulties linked with potato cold storages.
Key Challenges
Energy Consumption
Potato cold storages require a significant amount of energy to maintain the desired temperature and humidity levels. According to studies, energy costs can account for up to 50% of the total operating costs of a cold storage facility. High energy consumption not only leads to higher costs but also has a significant environmental impact, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Maintenance and Repair
Maintaining and repairing a cold storage facility can be expensive. As the equipment ages, it becomes more prone to breakdowns, which can lead to costly repairs and downtime. To ensure the smooth operation of a cold storage facility, it is essential to have a regular maintenance schedule and a contingency plan in place in case of unexpected breakdowns.
Product Loss
Potatoes are perishable commodities, and any mishandling or storage errors can lead to product loss. Improper temperature and humidity control can cause potatoes to spoil, shrink or develop sprouts, reducing their quality and shelf life. To minimize product loss, it is crucial to have proper storage protocols in place and to monitor the condition of the potatoes regularly.
To read the complete article, please refer to our latest March-April 2023 print issue of Potato Processing International.