How to Prevent Storage Losses in Grains Without Using Chemicals

For food processors and exporters, buying in bulk during harvest season when farm gate prices are low is the ideal way to generate significant savings and secure a year-round availability of agricultural commodities.

Unfortunately, they incur losses due to improper storage which makes this strategy null. Continuous exposure to changes in temperature, oxidation, air moisture, and discoloration of these agricultural commodities results in grain damage and quality degradation.

While various storage solutions are available, they must be justified with economies of scale, large volumes, and substantial capital investments. For multi-commodity processing operations, these technologies may not be viable. But what if there is a way to minimize storage losses and preserve the quality of commodities to make this strategy viable?

What if companies can store for months or even years without chemical treatment? What if they can maintain the moisture level of stored commodities even without building a sophisticated facility that requires time and money? The solution is known as the GrainPro Hermetic Technology.

Hermetic technology works on the principles of an airtight jar. It was developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the International Maise and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Hermetically sealed storage involves putting grain into sealed containers that stop the movement of air (oxygen) and moisture between the outside atmosphere and the stored grain.

When stored for two months or more, it results in low oxygen and high carbon dioxide environment, which naturally eliminates insects of all forms, thereby preventing damage to the commodity. This technology has been proven to preserve the quality and lengthen the shelf life of stored commodities.

The GrainPro Hermetic Cocoon

The Cocoons are used by organic companies in different capacities, from 5 tonnes to 300 tonnes. They are made with flexible and UV-resistant polyvinyl chloride plastics, so they can be stored outdoors in any flat space. The GrainPro Cocoon is favorable for dry agricultural commodities. Organic companies use the GrainPro Cocoon as a gas fumigation chamber utilizing carbon dioxide to drastically reduce the oxygen level and increase the CO2 level up to 85%. The CO2 level must be maintained to above 35% for 15 days to fast-track insect elimination.

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The GrainPro Cocoons are easily installed in any flat space, indoor or outdoor, and may be dismantled when not used. It does not require permanent fixtures and can be used as instant extension warehouses to accommodate extra inventory. In addition, it operates without electricity and helps companies save costs related to fumigation.

The GrainPro Hermetic Bags and Pouches

Using the same technology as the Cocoons, the GrainPro Hermetic Bags and Pouches are small capacity hermetic containers made with polyethylene that range from 250 grams to 69 kilos (volume based on coffee). These are used as retail packaging for commodities requiring premium protection like coffee, cocoa, spices, and seeds. Exporters use the bags to provide point-to-point protection for commodities to maintain moisture levels and be protected from infestation or mold development during shipment.

The GrainPro FIBC Hermetic Liner

Commodities packed in big bags can also be protected using the GrainPro FIBC Hermetic Liners. These bags are made from high-strength polyethylene, sealed using a zipper, and are ideal to be used for gas fumigation inside the warehouse. In addition, the GrainPro FIBC Hermetic Liner can be customized with a downspout to discharge commodities from beneath efficiently.

The GrainPro Transafeliners

Once the goods leave the port, the safekeeping of the commodities is transferred from the shipper to the receiver or importer. Aside from the risk of a shipping delay, the commodities are exposed to moisture fluctuation and temperature changes, often resulting in condensation and mold damage. When food is transported in unclean shipping containers, cross-contamination can happen.

When shipping lasts 45 days or more, insect eggs trapped inside the commodities will hatch. Infestation can occur on these inadequately fumigated commodities, which can taint quality or the risk of rejection. Many problems can happen during shipment, and companies rely on added protection of cardboard liners, regular plastic liners, or insurance claims which take weeks or months to mitigate any potential losses.

To prevent all these issues, the GrainPro Transafeliner is a hermetic alternative that can be used to protect the commodities during shipment and minimize the risks.

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For more information about the GrainPro solutions, please visit their website at www. grainpro.com or email at customerservice@grainpro.com.