Postharvest regulation and quality standards on fresh produce

"The orchard has been irrigated, fertilized and pruned. Disease, insect and weed problems have been addressed. The crop is mature, the yield set, and the picking crews can be set to work. The postharvest phase of the crop begins. By this stage, the producer must have decided which supply chains to participate in, and thus the intended market for the crop. The final value achieved for the crop will depend on the marketing and technical nous of this chain to present and manage “ quality ” in the product." --p. 205.