Chocolate, a universal indulgence, transcends borders and cultures. This richly flavored delight has fostered a global love affair, resulting in a multi-billion-dollar industry. Major brands play a pivotal role by shipping popular chocolate products worldwide. Nevertheless, the transportation and logistics of chocolates demand meticulous attention to storage temperature and humidity levels to guarantee that these delectable treats reach store shelves in impeccable condition. In this blog, we will dive into the intricacies of chocolate transportation and logistics and best practices to ship them.
The transportation and logistics of chocolates: Significance of a robust global supply chain
Meeting the global demand for chocolate confections necessitates a comprehensive global supply chain. These delectable treats can originate from anywhere in the world and be shipped across continents. For instance, a leading chocolate brand might embark on its journey from a factory in Germany to a shipping hub in Dubai and finally to a retail store in Vietnam. The diverse temperatures and humidity levels in these regions underscore the importance of a meticulously optimized cold chain.
While chocolate is generally considered easier to ship compared to other perishable goods, primarily due to its resilience to humidity, this doesn’t mean there are no challenges in chocolate shipping. Maintaining ideal conditions throughout the entire journey is crucial to preserving the quality and integrity of the product.
Special requirements of chocolate transportation
Ensuring the quality and visual appeal of chocolate demands careful handling. Exposure to excessive heat can lead to blooming, softening, and even melting, while excessive low temperatures may cause crystallization. The optimal temperature range for transporting chocolate is ideally between 13°C and 15°C. When transporting chocolate alongside other items, such as cheese, it’s crucial to shield the pallet to prevent flavor transfer and to maintain a slightly warmer temperature than the accompanying goods.
To safeguard against temperature fluctuations, thermal blankets are commonly employed, providing assurance that, in the rare event of a power outage, chocolate will maintain its correct temperature for an extended period. Transportation and logistics firms typically equip each container with a temperature monitor, allowing for real-time checks on any significant heat changes during transit. Moreover, premium carriers usually conduct regular ship checks, and an onboard engineer is available to address any issues that may arise.
Tips for transportation and warehousing of chocolates
Selecting the right temperature
Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial for preserving the quality of chocolate, especially during the summer months when sugar bloom becomes a significant concern. Elevated temperatures, combined with high humidity, can lead to the dissolution of sugar in chocolate. With the evaporation of the moisture, the sugar re-crystallizes, impacting the look and texture of the chocolates.
Freight forwarding companies make use of real-time temperature monitors to get continuous insights into temperature variations across the entire supply chain. With access to immediate temperature data, they can take corrective actions to promptly prevent any adverse effects on product quality. This proactive approach not only enhances return on investment (ROI) but also contributes to the reduction of food waste.
Maintenance of proper air flow
Addressing the challenge of chocolate’s tendency to absorb odors and flavors is vital in the transportation and logistics of chocolate. This emphasizes the need for continuous airflow around pallets. However, achieving this poses a significant challenge.
Transporting chocolates in full truckloads or single-load containers is the preferred solution, as it eliminates the risk of chocolate absorbing odors from neighboring products in the trailer. Conversely, smaller manufacturers lacking the scale for full loads must collaborate closely with logistics companies and shipping partners to guarantee proper loading and shipment alongside low-odour products, mitigating the potential for flavour contamination.
Maintenance of the right level of humidity
Chocolate is resilient to humidity except at condensing temperatures. Typically, an acceptable humidity range of 15-75% should be maintained, with levels below 50% being ideal. Concerns arise only when humidity drops below 10%. Consistent monitoring of both humidity and temperature guarantees that chocolate is shielded from excessive moisture or excessively dry conditions.
Packing
Although chocolate itself may not be significantly impacted by humidity, it can pose a threat to the packaging. It’s crucial to use materials like thin layer of plastic or aluminum foil that can endure humidity exposure during transit. Chocolate packaging typically employs a multi-layered approach, featuring an inner layer in direct contact with the chocolate and an outer layer serving as a light barrier.
Prevention of light exposure
Safeguard the chocolate from direct light exposure to preserve its quality and look. Logistics companies counteract the impact of harmful UV rays by opting for opaque packaging, including materials like aluminum foil, thick paper, and dark-colored wrappers. Additionally, even with proper packaging, they are stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to ensure optimal conditions.
Always choose ocean freight
When it comes to international transportation and logistics of chocolates, they are usually moved by ocean freight shipping which offers advantages in terms of cost and temperature stability. However, logistics companies should avoid shipping chocolates by air freight as it entails potential quality risks. The swift temperature changes associated with air freight can lead to ingredient separation and product deformation. These issues may escalate, causing quality degradation if the chocolate isn’t adequately cooled to the optimal shipping temperature before leaving the manufacturing site.