Professional transportation of agricultural crops is not just about getting the cargo from point A to point B. It is a complex process that directly affects the quality, safety and commercial value of the delivered products. Fruits, vegetables, as well as grains are particularly sensitive to the conditions of transportation, so their logistics requires not only experience, but also knowledge of the applicable regulations. Proper management of this process, from choosing the right trailer to knowing the regulations, minimizes losses and protects your investment. In this article, you'll learn exactly what agricultural crops are and what restrictive regulations govern their transportation. Learn about the most essential requirements for grain transportation, and how to keep fruits and also vegetables fresh during delivery.

What are agricultural crops?

The term "agricultural crops" is found in legal and economic language, although it seems intuitive, it is worth defining it precisely. In statutory terms, it is all products obtained directly from agricultural, orchard, vegetable, herb and meadow-pasture crops before they undergo any industrial processing. These include cereals, vegetables, fruits, legumes, roots, oilseeds or forage crops, among others. From the point of view of logistics, the most important thing is that agricultural crops, as fresh, unprocessed products, are characterized by high sensitivity to environmental conditions. They are easily damaged mechanically, affected by humidity, temperature and delivery time. Therefore, the carrier must maintain certain transportation standards, adapted to the type of cargo and its physical characteristics. In transport and commercial practice, agricultural crops usually mean:

• Cereals - Wheat, rye, barley, corn (transported in bulk).
• Oilseed and industrial crops - rapeseed, sunflower, sugar beets.
• Fruits and vegetables - Fresh potatoes, onions, apples, carrots.
• Feed - Hay, straw, some legumes.

Transportation of agricultural crops - current regulations

Transportation of agricultural crops is subject to numerous regulations, which are designed to ensure food safety, environmental protection and compliance of operations with sanitary, as well as veterinary requirements. The transportation of such goods requires not only a suitably adapted vehicle, but also a number of formal obligations for the shipper and carrier. The basic legal requirements derive from national standards (including the Law on Road Transport and Agricultural Products) and European Union regulations, such as food safety regulations (e.g. 852/2004/EC). It is also important to comply with standards for the transportation of products of plant origin, which may be subject to phytosanitary control, especially when exported across customs borders. EU and national standards include:

• Hygiene Regulations (HACCP) - require that the means of transportation not be a source of contamination for the food being transported. This is critical, especially when the same semi-trailer transports different types of products sequentially (e.g., grain and then fertilizer).
• Phytosanitary standards - mainly concern plants and plant products, the transportation of which requires special inspections and certificates to prevent the spread of diseases, as well as pests.
• Sanitary and veterinary requirements - regulate transport conditions, such as cleanliness and disinfection, which is particularly important when transporting products for feed.

Obligations of the carrier

A professional carrier not only delivers the goods, but guarantees that they will arrive intact and up to standards. Basic responsibilities include:

• Cleanliness of means of transport - The absolute necessity of thorough cleaning, if necessary, disinfection of trailers after each course.
• Proper security - Protecting cargo from moisture, external contamination and mechanical damage, which requires specialized, leak-proof trailers.
• Shipping documentation - Having bills of lading, quality certificates, trailer cleanliness certificates, and in the case of international trade, phytosanitary documents.

The transportation of agricultural raw materials, while seemingly simple, is strictly regulated by law to ensure food and feed safety and protect trade.

Inspections and sanctions

Compliance with these rules is verified by various authorities, including the Inspection of Road Transport (ITD), as well as the Inspection of Commercial Quality of Agricultural and Food Articles (IJHARS). Non-compliance can result in:

• The consignee's refusal to accept the goods,
• financial penalties imposed on the carrier,
• loss of certification and exclusion from cooperation with important industry partners.

Transportation of fruits and vegetables - regulations, requirements

The transportation of fruits and vegetables requires extreme care, these are perishable goods, strongly reacting to temperature, humidity, time of stay in transport. That's why there are strict legal and technical standards, which aim to preserve the freshness, as well as the high standard of the products until they are delivered to the recipient. For carriers, this means the need not only to have an adequate fleet, but also to keep abreast of legal changes and to work with shippers who can properly prepare goods for the road. These products are categorized as perishable goods, which means that the transportation fruits and vegetables is subject to the strictest regulations focusing on preserving the so-called cold chain.

Temperature control

The most important requirement is stable temperature. What is required is not only refrigeration, but precise maintenance of its parameters, often different for specific products (for example, bananas require a different temperature than potatoes, and broccoli a different temperature than apples). Professional transportation requires the use of certified recording equipment that monitors the temperature inside the trailer throughout the course. This data provides proof of quality and is required by the consignee. In addition, refrigerated trailers must be regularly disinfected to eliminate the risk of mold growth, bacteria and cross-contamination (such as odors) from previous loads.

Protection against mechanical damage

Fruits and vegetables are susceptible to damage from vibration, improper loading. Therefore, products must be stably packed and properly secured with straps on pallets. Excessive compression or loose loading can lead to bruising, as well as rapid spoilage. In addition, many fruits and vegetables produce ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process. Therefore, it is required that the cold store provide optimal ventilation and air circulation. For the carrier, this means the need to have not only efficient refrigerated trailers with ATP certification (for the transportation of temperature-controlled food), but also qualified drivers who are aware of the rules of the cold chain. Even a momentary interruption of the cold supply can result in the rejection of the entire cargo at the point of destination.

Grain transport - the most important technical and organizational requirements

Cereals belong to a group of agricultural crops that, despite their apparent resistance to external conditions, require carefully planned transportation. Improper transport conditions can lead to moisture, biological contamination or mechanical damage to the cargo, which directly affects the quality, as well as the value of the delivered raw material. Grain transport has different requirements than those placed on refrigerated transport, but equally restrictive. The priority is to protect the bulk cargo from contamination, moisture, and to ensure efficiency and safety during loading as well as unloading.

Technical requirements of the fleet

For grain, a suitable trailer is important. Standard tarpaulins are insufficient. The most commonly used are dump trailers (especially for unloading in silos) or trailers with a sliding floor (strapping). The latter, thanks to the belt mechanism, minimize damage and allow unloading even in halls with limited height. In addition, the trailer must be fully sealed to protect the goods from moisture (rain, condensation) and external contaminants (dust, road dirt). Even slight moisture can initiate mold growth and disqualify cargo at the point of receipt.

Phytosanitary and organizational requirements

The quality of grain in transit is controlled at every stage:

• Protection against cross-contamination - A Certificate of Trailer Cleanliness or washing statement is required before loading. Carriage of chemicals or fertilizers before grain is absolutely prohibited and will lead to rejection of cargo.
• Moisture and contamination control - The grain must meet moisture content standards, as well as purity standards specified in the commercial contract. Recipients, such as ports and mills, conduct immediate quality tests. Deviations can result not only in rejection, but also in deductions from the agreed price.
• Responsibility of the driver - The carrier must be trained to properly secure the tarps and supervise the loading process to ensure even weight distribution.

The importance of professional transportation of agricultural crops - summary

Professionalism in agricultural logistics is the combination of technical knowledge with industry practice and the ability to anticipate risks. It's also the ability to operate in accordance with current regulations, which are constantly changing and, in the case of food products, are particularly stringent. For agricultural producers, distributors and retail customers, working with an experienced transport operator means not only security of supply, but also saving time, money and nerves. That is why it is worth trusting an experienced partner. Sobanscy has a modern fleet, certificates, as well as specialized trailers that are adapted to strict European standards. We invest in technology to make sure that quality and safety standards are fully maintained. Don't risk the value of your crop. Contact us today and plan the transportation of your crops!