Presenter: Vega Brink (VegaB@GasAtSite.com)
Event: Annual CA & Post Harvest Group Meeting 2019
Date: 05/11/2019
DCA Technologies in the USA
There are currently two dominant DCA (Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere) technologies commercially available in the USA:
- DCA-CF (Chlorophyll Fluorescence)
- DCA-RQ (Respiration Quotient)
Main systems:
- HarvestWatch
- SafePod
HarvestWatch DCA-CF Adoption
Number of rooms using DCA-CF:
- South Africa
- USA
- Total Globally
(Graph not shown)
Global Apple Production 2018/2019
- South Africa
- USA
- China
Source: USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, June 2019
Apple Producing Regions in the USA
| Region | Production (Metric Tons) |
|---|---|
| MID-WEST | 481,170 |
| WEST COAST | 3,144,280 |
| EAST COAST | 906,350 |
Source: 2019 US Apple Association Production Forecast 2019
Apple Production on the West Coast, USA
- Washington is the largest producer and exporter of apples in the USA.
- Dry climate, nutrient-rich soil, and abundant water provide prime apple growing conditions.
- Absence of key pests and fungal problems allows growers to produce organic apples successfully.
- The organic market is approaching 20%.
- Organic fruit are priced at a premium.
- Organic fruit need DCA—considered a natural 1-MCP alternative.
Major Varieties Grown on the West Coast
- Red Delicious (34%)
- Galas (19%)
- Fuji (13%)
- Granny Smith (12%)
- Golden Delicious (10%)
- Cripps Pink (3%)
- Braeburn (3%)
- Honeycrisp (3%)
Source: Washington State Apple Commission
DCA Adoption in the West Coast, USA
- Largest adopter of DCA in the USA.
Reasons for adopting DCA technologies:
- Long-term storage of organic fruit
- Better quality of conventional fruit
“For one organic room fruit one can get up to $150,000 more for the same fruit if one can extend the marketing window from March through to May.”
— Washington State University Tree Fruit Extension
DCA can be considered the natural 1-MCP:
- Firmness retention
- Superficial scald prevention
- Taste enhancement
- Extended storage life
Apple Production on the East Coast, USA
- 900,000 tons of fruit per year.
- Characterized by a very different climate, varieties, and growers compared to the West.
- The industry is smaller and traditionally more conservative than the West Coast.
- Humid climate with heavy rainfall means pest and disease management is important.
- Rot and fungal problems mean the region does not produce organic fruit.
- High chemical and fungicide usage.
Major Varieties Grown on the East Coast
- McIntosh
- Empire
- Red Delicious
- Cortland
- Golden Delicious
- Rome
- Idared
- Crispin
- Gala
Source: Apples of New York
DCA Adoption in the East Coast, USA
- The East Coast has been slow to adopt DCA technologies in the past.
- Interest is growing because of beneficial effects of DCA on storage disorders other than superficial scald control:
- DCA delays the appearance of Stem End Browning in Gala.
In Conclusion
DCA adoption is increasing in the USA, especially in the West Coast region, driven by the need for long-term storage of organic fruit and improved fruit quality. The East Coast is showing growing interest due to additional storage disorder benefits.
05/11/2019 Gas At Site