Estimation of average weight of unripe banana sold in boxes by banana growers on the northern coast of the state of Santa catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Excess of weight in banana boxes is a major cause of post-harvest damages. The aim of the present study was to estimate the average weight of unripe banana from the Cavendish Subgroup [Musa spp. (AAA)] in wooden boxes in packing houses, considering a maximum sampling error of 5%. The banana boxes were weighed just prior to delivery, without the previous knowledge of people involved in the packing, in 28 packing houses located in the main banana producing area on the northern coast of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The mean average net weight of the boxes in the packing houses was
23.01kg, which is 9.6% above the reference weight (21kg). This implies that there is an excess of weight in the boxes, which may decrease the fruit quality, as well as the data of banana producton and of the farmer’s income. It can be concluded that there is a need for beter regulatory business laws regarding the banana market and commitment of those involved in post-
-harvestng practces of the productve chains.