International Journal of Horticulture, 2017, Vol.7, No. 19, 154-162
160
3.3 Economic analysis
Postharvest loss (3.8%) was minimum in the fruits which were packed in CFB boxes arranged in layers separated
by deck plate, wrapping of individual fruits by styrofoam, trimming of fruit stalk and making ventilation on both
sides of CFB box while maximum (18.2%) in the fruits which were packed in CFB boxes without deck plate,
without wrapping of individual fruits by styrofoam, without trimming of stalk and without ventilation (Table 10;
Table 11). Lowest net return (NRs.191250/truckload) was observed with conventional method while highest
(NRs.286500/ truckload) with improved method. With prospects of loss reduction, improved method sounds the
best technology. PLW (2.0%), total damage (19.55%), spoilage loss (12.75%), acceptable damage (6.80%) and
losses due to 50% decrease in the market value of the fruits was 3.4% with conventional method making a total of
18.2% postharvest loss which was reduced to 3.8% with improved method. Economic analysis shows that higher
benefit cost ratio (1.78) with improved method as compared to conventional method (1.60). If the traders replace
the conventional packing method by improved one, they can gain additional benefit of NRs. 95250 (US $ 899)
per truckload.
Table 10 Effect of packaging methods on total postharvest loss of Red Delicious apple during transportation and storage at Bheri
cold store, Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal for two consecutive years (2013-2014)
Loss parameters
Existing packaging method (%) Improved packaging method (%)
1. PLW
2.00
1.17
2. Total Damage
19.55
3.44
3. Spoilage
12.75
1.85
4. Acceptable Damage (2-3)
6.80
1.59
5. Equivalent loss of acceptable damaged fruits [(price loss
due to total damage /total price of whole lot) x 100]
3.40
0.80
Postharvest loss (1+3+5)
18.2
3.8
Note: Damaged fruits were priced 50 % lower than sound fruits
Table 11 Economic analysis of packaging, transportation and storage of Red Delicious apple from, Jumla to Bheri cold store,
Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal in existing and improved value chain scenarios for two consecutive years (2013-2014)
Existing Value Chain (EVC)
Unit Price (NRs.)
Total Price (NRs.)
Packaging of fruits in 5 Ply 160 PSI bursting strength CFB boxes (without deck plate, without Styrofoam, without trimming of
stalk, without ventilation)
A. Gross return (1 truckload)
1. Wholesale selling price of 5000 kg fruits at cold store
125/kg
625000
2. Postharvest loss, 18.2% of 5000 kg=910 kg
125/kg
113750
3. Gross return (A1-A2)
511250
B. Cost
1. Cost of CFB Boxes (N=500)
60
30000
2. Cost of fruits at collection centre (NRs./kg)
50
250000
3. Labor cost for packaging and handling (NRs./CFB)
30
15000
4. Warehouse cost (NRs./CFB)
40
20000
5. Labor cost for unloading and handling at warehouse (NRs./CFB)
10
5000
6. Total cost (Sum of B1-B5)
320000
C. Net Return (A3-B6)
191250
D. Benefit Cost Ratio (A3/B6)
1.60
Improved Value Chain (IVC)
Packaging in 5 Ply 160 PSI bursting strength CFB boxes (with deck plate, with Styrofoam, with trimming of stalk and with
ventilation)
A. Gross return (1 truckload)
1. Wholesale selling of 5000 kg fruits at cold store
125/kg
625000
2. Postharvest loss, 3.8% of 5000 kg=191kg
125/kg
23750
3. Gross return (A1-A2)
601250
