Environmental and external determinants of postharvest storage: Impacts, challenges, and sustainable mitigation strategies

Postharvest storage plays a pivotal role in preserving the quality, safety, and economic value of agricultural produce. However, significant losses estimated at nearly half of global food production occur largely due to external and environmental determinants such as temperature fluctuations, humidity, atmospheric gases, light exposure, microbial contamination, mechanical stress, socioeconomic factors, and climate change. These factors accelerate senescence, spoilage, and pathogen growth, particularly in perishable crops, undermining food security and sustainability. This review critically examines how such determinants affect postharvest stability, emphasising the challenges of maintaining optimal storage conditions across diverse agroecological contexts. Sustainable mitigation strategies, including controlled and modified atmosphere storage, intelligent packaging, renewable energy-powered cold chains, and bio-based protective coatings, are discussed as promising alternatives to conventional methods. Research gaps, regulatory barriers, and the potential of digital and AI-driven monitoring technologies are also discussed. This review highlights pathways for integrating green, scalable innovations to reduce losses, promote resilience, and advance sustainable food systems.