Kinnow (Mandarin)
The Marvellous Kinnow (Mandarin)
Our state-of-the-art processing and management system is perfectly demonstrated with our processing and export of Kinnows, a variety of Citrus (Mandarins) grown in very few countries around the world including Pakistan. The comprehensive picking, sorting and storing steps we take ensure that the Kinnows that make it to you, the consumer, are at their best: juicy, fresh, citrusy and delicious.
The Zesty Process
With our process, we have mastered not just the science – but also the art – of picking, processing, packing & managing the cold chain of Kinnows.
Pre-Sorting:
Hand-picked Kinnows are carefully, pre-sorted at the farm. This process eliminates unwanted fruits from being transported to the packing house. It is important that all hand-picked Kinnows are carefully transported for packing, where 20 kgs plastic bins are used.
Cleaning with Foamer:
Pre-sorted fruit (Kinnow) is passed through Foamer application (washing with food grade detergent) to rid the field dirt & dust.
Washing:
Potable water is sprayed to remove field dirt & dust. The water is regularly checked and tested at the laboratory to ensure purity and cleanliness.
Drying:
It is important to dry Kinnows after washing, before they are coated with wax.
Sorting 1:
Kinnows are then carefully placed on a sorting conveyor, where skilled workers check each Kinnow by hand and reject low-quality pieces.
Waxing:
Water wax TTT-31 (Spanish Origin) that comply with the international standards of the EU is applied to the Kinnow through modern spraying system that equally distributes the wax to each Kinnow.
Post Wax Drying:
Once wax is applied; the drying process begins under controlled temperature to ensure complete and effective drying of the fruits.
Sorting 2:
After washing and waxing, Kinnows shine in full luster. Any unwanted fruit is further sorted out on the sorting 2 conveyor belt.
Grading:
All our Kinnows are then processed using the state-of-the-art Grading system. The full-spectrum machine handles the processing – from washing to the packing stage. Moreover, with soft handling of fruits during processing, the machine protects the fruit from any mechanical injuries.
Sorting 3:
Delivery of the highest-quality fruit is our top priority so the fruits are picked at the final third stage after washing, waxing and grading ensuring that only premium-quality fruits are packaged.
Packing:
Our Packing Plant meets high international standards of quality control. It is one of the most modern citrus packing house in Pakistan where each piece is packed by hand at the final stage. Qualified and experienced skilled workers place Kinnows in corrugated cartons of 10 kg and 13 kg or in customized-sized cartons as per customer's requirement. Food-grade stickers are then placed on top and the boxes are strapped for storage.
Pre-Cooling:
To ensure a long shelf-life Kinnows need to be stored at 4oC. IAC’s state-of-the-art computer controlled pre-cooling chambers ensure Kinnows are kept at this ideal temperature.
Cold Storage:
We operate our own cold storage facilities in Karachi and Sargodha. These facilities have a storage capacity for one million 10 kg cartons and the latest equipment for optimal preservation. After pre-cooling, Kinnows are kept in cold storage before being loaded onto reefer containers.
Cool Chain:
We strongly focus on maintaining our cool chain. As a result, all reefer containers have generators installed that ensure consistent cooling. Our cool chain ensures perfect quality, freshness and humidity retention at the time of arrival and delivery.
Loading and Shipment:
Before loading and shipment, each consignment is inspected by our highly trained and qualified quality assurance professionals. After inspection kinnows are loaded into reefer containers.
The loading capacity in 1x40’ reefer container is 2660 cartons (without pallets) & 2400 cartons (with pallets) for 10 Kg packing, in the same manner 2000 cartons (without pallets) & 1800 cartons (with pallets) can be loaded in 13 kg packing.