Postharvest Hub Ltd. is an Israel-based consulting and technology company that provides advanced solutions to optimize the quality, shelf life, and marketability of fresh produce after harvest. With deep industry expertise and scientific knowledge, the company bridges the gap between research, postharvest technologies, and real-world operations to help growers, packers, exporters, and retailers reduce losses and enhance product quality.
Core Business
Postharvest Hub offers specialized services across the fresh produce supply chain with a focus on postharvest physiology, quality assurance, and packaging innovation. The company operates under the leadership of Shay Zeltzer, a globally recognized postharvest expert with decades of industry experience in postharvest handling, packaging engineering, and produce analytics.
Their core activities include:
- Postharvest technology consulting
- Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) development
- Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program design
- Cold chain optimization and temperature management
- Analytical instrumentation supply and training
Postharvest Hub collaborates with clients globally, providing practical, data-driven strategies tailored to product type, market needs, and climatic conditions.
Product and Service Offerings
Consulting Services:
- Postharvest protocol design for shelf life extension and quality maintenance.
- Custom packaging solutions using Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and biodegradable materials.
- Cold chain analysis and gap assessments.
- Operational audits to identify inefficiencies and product loss points.
- Training and workshops for packinghouse and QC staff.
Technical Equipment and Tools:
- AGC MAP Gas Analyzer: For oxygen and carbon dioxide level measurement in packaging.
- Imacimus Multi-Ion Analyzer: Evaluates critical mineral and ionic levels in produce.
- SUNFOREST H-100C: A non-destructive dry matter analyzer ideal for avocados and kiwifruit.
Each piece of equipment is supported with calibration, software integration, and hands-on training to ensure field applicability.
Specialization and USP
Postharvest Hub specializes in perishable produce handling and tailored postharvest solutions for fruits and vegetables. The company’s unique value propositions include:
- Real-world application of academic postharvest science.
- End-to-end support, from pre-harvest impact analysis to retail readiness.
- Expertise in non-destructive testing technologies for ripeness, firmness, and internal quality.
- Customized MAP packaging systems based on respiration rates, temperature profiles, and transport durations.
Their practical and technical focus reduces postharvest loss by 15–40% across many customer case studies.
Financial and Market Insights
While Postharvest Hub Ltd. is a private entity and does not disclose revenue publicly, its market presence is evident through:
- International clientele across 20+ countries, including exporters in South Africa, Chile, Peru, India, and Europe.
- Regular speaker appearances and technical contributions in forums such as Asiafruit Congress, Fruit Logistica Tech Stage, and the Israeli Fresh Produce Innovation Summit.
- Supported supply chain operations for over 80 commercial clients, including multinational growers and exporters of avocado, mango, citrus, cherry tomato, and pomegranate.
Their services are critical in addressing postharvest losses, estimated globally at 30–50% for fresh produce, and help clients meet premium export standards and retailer specifications.
Target Market
Postharvest Hub serves a broad segment of the global fresh produce ecosystem:
- Exporters and packhouses seeking to extend shelf life and reduce rejections.
- Retailers and importers demanding consistent product quality and visual appeal.
- Agri-tech firms needing scientific consultation for product trials.
- Packaging manufacturers collaborating on new functional packaging formats.
- R&D teams within produce marketing companies focused on quality improvement.
They also work with development agencies on sustainability and food security projects involving postharvest innovation.
Capabilities
- In-house laboratory and testing infrastructure for packaging and gas exchange modeling.
- Field deployment of sensors and analyzers for real-time cold chain diagnostics.
- Remote and on-site audits covering packinghouses, storage, and distribution.
- MAP packaging design and testing based on produce respiration kinetics.
- Training modules and workshops for technical teams and operational managers.
The company integrates biological science, engineering, and commercial insight into actionable strategies tailored to climate, logistics, and product types.
Certifications and Compliance
Postharvest Hub ensures that all technical services and equipment comply with:
- ISO standards for gas analysis instrumentation.
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) recommendations for handling and processing.
- GlobalG.A.P. alignment for quality assurance systems.
- HACCP and traceability protocols for food safety compliance.
Their equipment is calibrated and validated for use under export-oriented certification schemes and retail audits.
Major Achievements
- Designed shelf-life extension programs for avocado exporters in Kenya and Peru, resulting in a 25% reduction in shipment rejections.
- Introduced MAP systems for fresh figs and pomegranates, pioneering extended export logistics to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
- Partnered with major packaging companies to develop sustainable postharvest solutions for sensitive fruits like berries and cherry tomatoes.
- Played a critical role in training quality control teams across over 15 packhouses in Israel, India, and Morocco.
- Developed customized dry-matter evaluation programs using the SUNFOREST meter for premium avocado branding.
Customer Testimonials
While formal public testimonials are limited due to the B2B and technical nature of their work, repeated client engagement and referrals speak to their credibility:
- “Postharvest Hub helped us optimize our MAP protocol—shelf life went from 9 days to 14 days under controlled cold chain.”
- “Their training sessions changed the way our team handled pomegranate packing.”
- “The dry matter analyzer saved us from hundreds of kilos of export rejection last season.”
These insights highlight the company’s precision-driven approach and its real-world impact on reducing losses and enhancing fruit quality across borders.