Identifying temperature breaches and breaks in the export cold chain of fresh hake from Namibia (Walvis Bay) to Europe (Spain)

Date
2022-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Global fish consumption has doubled over the last 50 years, as people have recognised the health benefits of fish as an excellent source of protein. European countries have an enduring appetite for fresh, high-quality fish. Hake is the preferred type of fish, as its flavour is not overwhelmingly fishy but rather very neutral. The Namibian fishing industry is changing and diversifying. It is currently the fifth largest revenue earner and employment generator in the country. Companies in Namibia identified a gap in the market for the export of fresh hake to Europe. The Namibian fishing industry has experienced a growing level of market-openness in international trade. However, the export of fresh hake is a risky and challenging venture because the fresh product is extremely temperature and time sensitive, perishable and dependent on maintaining optimal temperature throughout the export cold chain. Temperature breaches and breaks are occasionally unavoidable due to the fragmented cold chain, however, preventing temperature breaches and breaks would add to the efficiency and effectiveness of the export cold chain. Temperature breaches and breaks could contribute to significant losses in revenue, as fish quality and shelf life have a direct impact on the market price. Temperature breaches and breaks reduce the shelf life and the quality of the fresh fish, which could become compromised and unfit for human consumption. This study follows a deductive, mixed methods approach. This study identified the when, where, and why temperature breaches and breaks occurred, through interviews, observations, and temperature trials. The export cold chain of fresh hake to Europe was documented and illustrated. Several temperature breaches and breaks were identified. This study determined that most of the temperature breaches and breaks occurred in the first leg of the export cold chain and concluded that some were unavoidable, and some were avoidable. The avoidable temperature breaches and breaks can be resolved. Recommendations were made to solve the problems and streamline the export cold chain. Preventing temperature breaches and breaks in the export cold chain would extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of the fresh product. This study adds to current knowledge and assists companies with international trade and improving competitiveness.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globale visverbruik het oor die afgelope 50-jaar verdubbel, aangesien mense die gesondheidsvoordele van vis as 'n uitstekende bron van proteïen erken. Europese lande het 'n onversadigbare eetlus vir vars, hoë gehalte vis. Stokvis is die voorkeur tipe, aangesien sy geur nie oorweldigend visserig is nie, maar eerder neutraal. Die Namibiese visserybedryf verander en diversifiseer voortdurend en is tans die top vyf inkomste verdiener en werkskepper. Maatskappye het 'n gaping in die mark geïdentifiseer vir die uitvoer van vars stokvis na Europa. Die Namibiese visserybedryf ervaar tans 'n groeiende vlak van markopening in internasionale handel. Die uitvoer van vars stokvis na Europa is 'n riskante en uitdagende onderneming; omdat die vars produk temperatuurgevoelig, bederfbaar en afhanklik is van die handhawing van optimale temperatuur regdeur die uitvoer koue ketting. Temperatuuronderbrekings is onvermydelik; as gevolg van die gefragmenteerde koue ketting. Die voorkoming van temperatuutonderbrekings, sal bydra tot doeltreffendheid van die uitvoer koue ketting. Temperatuuronderbrekings kan bydra tot ernstige verliese in inkomste, aangesien viskwaliteit en raklewe 'n impak op die markprys het. Temperatuuronderbrekings verminder die raklewe en die kwaliteit van die vars vis, wat dan ongeskik kan raak vir menslike gebruik. Hierdie studie volg ‘n deduktiewe en gemengde metodes benadering wat deur middel van onderhoude, waarnemings en temperatuurmoniteringstoestelle probeer identifiseer wanneer, waar en waarom temperatuuronderbrekings plaasvind. Hierdie studie poog ook om die uitvoer koue kettings te dokumenteer en te ïllustreer. Verskeie temperatuuronderbrekings is geïdentifiseer. Hierdie studie het bepaal dat die meerderheid van temperatuuronderbrekings in die eerste been van die uitvoer koue ketting plaasgevind het en afgelei dat sommige temperatuuronderbrekings onvermydelik en sommige vermybaar was. Die vermybare temperatuurbreuke kan opgelos word. Aanbevelings is gemaak om die uitvoer koue ketting te stroomlyn. Die voorkoming van temperatuuronderbrekings sal die raklewe verleng en die kwaliteit van die vars produk handhaaf. Hierdie studie dra by tot huidige kennis en help maatskappye om internasionaal handel te dryf en mededingend te wees.
Description
Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.
Keywords
Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Namibia, Fishery products -- Storage -- Namibia, Fishery products -- Preservation -- Namibia, Fishery products -- Transportation -- Namibia, Fishes -- Transportation -- Namibia, UCTD
Citation