News in carrot postharvest knowledge

The carrot, Daucus carota, is the most widely produced root vegetable in the world, and its market is one of the most stable within the fruit and vegetable sector, although it has faced significant climate challenges in the last two years (2024-2025), especially in Europe and North Africa.

The trade in root vegetables (where the carrot is a key player) generated more than $3 billion in 2024.

China is the leading producer, with an estimated annual volume of 40 million tons, representing between 40 and 50% of global production. Uzbekistan, Russia, and the United States follow.

Due to droughts in the Northern Hemisphere, a slight shift in production toward the Southern Hemisphere was observed in 2024/2025.

The main players in carrot exports are China, the Netherlands, and Spain, with the Netherlands primarily acting as a logistics hub, re-exporting produce from other origins.

The main importers are Germany, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Global consumption is on the rise due to the perception of carrots as a "superfood" rich in beta-carotene. Per capita consumption varies drastically, being very high in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (where it is a staple food), averaging around 10-12 kg per person/year in developed countries.

Below are advances in post-harvest handling based on studies published during 2025.

Contents

• Postharvest Quality and Shelf-Life Performance of Nineteen Carrot Genotypes
• Fungal species prevalent in Finland causing postharvest losses in carrot
• Potential of lactic acid bacteria and carrot isolates as postharvest disease control agents in carrots
• Endogenous laserine-type phenylpropanoids in carrots protect against fungi 
• Higher soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere was associated with higher postharvest storability in carrots
• Chicken manure fertilization, the best results both in production and postharvest behaviour 
• Citric acid without ultrasounds, enough to preserve postharvest carrot quality
• Maximization of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest handling as an effort to maintain quality 

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Picture, Wyma, ¿Estás sacando lo mejor de tus zanahorias?