February 06, 2026 | Discover Environment |
This review conducted by Debre Markos University, Ethiopia examined the impacts of climate change on horticultural production and postharvest management worldwide. Horticultural crops, particularly fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, are highly sensitive to environmental changes because of their narrow climatic requirements and high perishability. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, droughts, and floods increasingly threaten both crop productivity and product quality.
Following PRISMA guidelines, the review synthesized evidence from 140 published studies retrieved from major scientific databases. The findings showed that climate-induced abiotic stresses disrupt important physiological processes, negatively affecting flowering, fruit development, yield, and crop quality. Climate change also increases crop vulnerability to pests and diseases while reducing nutritional value and marketability. Beyond field production, elevated temperatures and unstable environmental conditions accelerate postharvest deterioration by increasing respiration, moisture loss, and microbial spoilage, resulting in shortened shelf life and higher losses during storage, transportation, and marketing.
The review highlights that these impacts are particularly severe in developing countries where cold chain infrastructure and adaptive capacity are limited. To improve resilience, the study discusses adaptation and mitigation strategies including climate-resilient crop varieties, improved agronomic and irrigation practices, energy-efficient postharvest technologies, and supportive policy measures. The review emphasizes the importance of integrated climate-smart approaches to sustain horticultural productivity and reduce postharvest losses under changing climatic conditions.
