August 04 ,2026 | Faculty of Engineering and Technology International Conference | Chukwu
This review conducted by the Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute, Nigeria examined the effects of climate change on postharvest physiology, produce quality, and storage systems. Rising temperatures, elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, extreme weather events, and increasing climatic variability can accelerate physiological deterioration in harvested agricultural products, reducing shelf life and increasing postharvest losses.
The review synthesized current knowledge on the physiological responses of harvested commodities to climate-related stressors. These environmental changes can increase respiration, ethylene production, membrane instability, and reactive oxygen species accumulation, accelerating senescence and increasing susceptibility to microbial decay. Such processes can also negatively affect the nutritional and sensory quality of fresh produce.
The study further evaluated potential adaptation strategies, including climate-smart agricultural practices, stress-tolerant cultivars, antioxidant-based treatments, renewable-energy cold storage systems, and digital monitoring technologies. It emphasized the importance of understanding how preharvest climatic conditions influence postharvest metabolic processes to improve predictive models and storage management.
The review identified research gaps in combined climate stress responses, long-term climate simulations, digital technology integration, and sustainability assessments of adaptation measures. The findings highlight the need for integrated approaches to strengthen postharvest resilience, maintain produce quality, and reduce food losses under changing climatic conditions.
