Buying and selling export lettuce in Karaj mainly focuses on two commercial varieties, "Romano" and "Iceberg", which are loaded and ready to be shipped as soon as possible due to the proximity of Alborz lands to container terminals and Payam Airport. Luminova Trading manages the process of supply, laser sorting, pre-cooling and palletizing of this product directly from the farms of Hashtgerd, Nazarabad and Chaharbagh so that the cargo reaches the traders without loss of moisture and color change of the stem. In order to guarantee the quality of the cargo in the long distances along the Persian Gulf and Russia, the exporters determine the loading volume based on the Brix index, the density of kale and the temperature of the lettuce core at the origin.
In export markets, the final buyer pays for the density of the plant and the health of the protective layers, not the waste outer leaves. Due to the texture of sandy loam soil and access to pressurized irrigation systems, the fields of Karaj and Saujblag produce a product whose shelf life after harvesting is at least 4 to 6 days longer than other climates if temperature shock is properly managed. However, major trading in this market requires step-by-step operational control; Because even a 2-hour delay in transferring the product from the farm to a cool environment can make the entire export shipment out of the customs standard of the destination country.
Romano and iceberg lettuce sorting operational standards in Karaj area
In practice, it has been observed that the major return of lettuce from the export borders of Russia and Astrakhan is not caused by fungal disease, but is related to not draining the latent heat of the field. Lettuce immediately after cutting in the field should enter the pre-cooling system within less than 90 minutes to reduce the central temperature of the plant from 22 degrees to about 3 degrees Celsius. If this process is not carried out, the physiological respiration of the plant continues and the natural sugar of the leaf is decomposed into acid, which results in brown spots and rotting of the stem in the reefer container.
In its preparation lines in Karaj, Luminova Trading applies the standard of separation of size and weight based on the needs of the target market:
- Iceberg lettuce: Compact density, without central air cavity, with a standard weight between 500 and 950 grams for the Persian Gulf market, along with a precise cutting of the stem up to one centimeter below the leaf canopy.
- Romano lettuce (official): Plant length between 28 and 32 cm with dense leaves and no abnormal elongation of the stem, closed with breathable nets for export terrestrial.
Inhibition of stem rot by vacuum packaging and nano cellophane
Just washing and cleaning the bush is not enough for a hassle-free clearance at the destination. Excess moisture on the leaf layers is the main cause of the spread of Ervinia bacteria. In sorting lines, air dehumidification is done and for long-haul loads, modified atmosphere bags (MAP) are used. These bags regulate the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide on the surface of the leaf and stop the aging process of lettuce during 25 days of sea transit.
The strategic position of Karaj in the logistics of the export of solar products
Businessmen active in the field of export of fine products know very well that the speed of operation in the supply chain is the difference between the profit and loss of a cargo container. The establishment of warehouses and sorting lines in the area of Karaj brings three obvious logistical advantages for major buyers:
- Direct access to the farms of the agricultural hub of Alborz province: A time interval of less than 40 minutes between the cultivation hubs of Nazarabad and Soheiliyeh with mechanized cold storage facilities, provides the possibility of early morning harvesting and evening loading.
- Reduction of transportation depreciation to the exit borders: Fast connection of Karaj to the northern and western highways of the country, the transit time of refrigerated containers to the borders of Bazargan, Astara and It minimizes Parviz Khan.
- Payam Airport infrastructure for air export: For extremely sensitive Romano cargoes that are in high demand in the Qatar, Dubai and Oman markets, the use of air cargo capacity from Alborz origin can be done in a few hours.
The method of determining the wholesale price of lettuce and the mechanism of Luminova commercial contracts
The price of export lettuce in Karaj is a function of the daily exchange rate, the cost of the packaging material (waterproof carton, cardboard corner and petrochemical wooden pallet), and the physical health of the product. In the method of buying directly from the farm, the buyer often assumes the risk of weight loss and rejection of the outer layers; But in the model of the official contract with Luminova Trading, the cargo delivery index is calculated as "loadable net carton".
In this model, the waste and waste of the bushes are removed before entering the final scale and the bills of lading are issued based on the useful weight on the pallet. Also, by using the thermograph equipment to record the temperature inside the container, the data of temperature changes are recorded along the entire route, so that the investor and the merchant can be sure of the safe delivery in the destination warehouse.
To coordinate a field visit to the cold storages, to check the samples of the packages and to register a bulk purchase order for the export of Romano and Iceberg lettuce, contact the Luminova commercial sales experts at the Alborz branch.
