Apple inspection
Apple inspection is a comprehensive quality control procedure performed at multiple stages of the supply chain. It minimizes key trade risks related to non-compliance with product specifications, discrepancies in quantity, or incomplete documentation during international export and import operations.
CISS GROUP provides professional apple inspection services for large agribusinesses and global trading companies. Inspections are conducted at production sites, cold storage facilities, elevators, and ports worldwide.
Due to their short shelf life, apples require strict adherence to temperature regimes and delivery timelines. Apples must be stored at 0°C, while temporary storage often maintains temperatures of +3°C to +4°C. Storage at incorrect temperatures for more than 24 hours can lead to spoilage and product loss. To extend shelf life, apples are commonly treated with sulfates, sorbic acid, or definol. During inspection, cross-reactivity with nearby crops and potential contamination must also be considered and avoided.
The main stages of checking apples:
Incoming/Outgoing apple inspection
Performed during delivery to fruit depots, temporary storage warehouses, or refrigerated containers. Inspectors assess storage conditions and ensure the cargo is dry, intact, not mixed, and free of mold, pests, or foreign odors.
Container cleanliness inspection
A thorough visual inspection of refrigerated containers is conducted to assess cleanliness and functionality. Inspectors check cooling systems, temperature sensors, interior surfaces, locks, hinges, and door seals to ensure full compliance.
Visual loading supervision and sampling
Inspection includes the packaging condition, presence of liners or pads, and whether apples are wrapped. Inspectors record product temperature, gross/net weight, container counts, and carry out sampling across all layers to ensure representativeness.
Apple quality and condition inspection parameters
- Size and uniformity
- Storage temperature monitoring
- Representative sampling for accurate results
- Surface defects and physiological disorders:
- Bitter pit (calcium deficiency)
- Jonathan spot (storage-related)
- Brown surface discoloration
- Mechanical damage:
- Bruising from rough handling or loose/tight packing
- Cuts, broken skins (healed or unhealed)
- Fungal and pest-related issues:
- Apple cedar rust and quince-cedar rust
- Flyspeck and sooty blotch
- Mold, insect stings, worm holes
- External appearance:
- Cleanliness, color, firmness, ground color
- Wax residue or blistering due to storage conditions
- Sunburn or spray burn from overexposure
- Firmness tests:
- Chewing test – bite resistance of flesh
- Thumb pressure – quick resistance assessment
- Knife cutting test – resistance and texture
- Pressure testing – for borderline cases
- Ripeness indicators based on firmness, wax development, and color
Upon completion of loading, containers are sealed, and inspectors generate digital reports accessible by the client in real time.
CISS GROUP inspections are available 24/7 upon request.
Laboratory testing of apples
CISS GROUP performs quality analysis exclusively in ISO-accredited laboratories, following international safety and quality standards. Testing includes:
- Visual and sensory analysis: appearance, color, odor, flavor, and mold presence
- Physicochemical properties: sugar content (Brix level), firmness
- Toxicological analysis: detection of mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, pesticide residues, and radionuclides
At the client's request, organoleptic testing is also performed during loading to evaluate freshness, taste, and texture.
Photo and video documentation
Each inspection stage is captured with timestamped photos and videos. Upon completion, CISS GROUP delivers a comprehensive visual inspection report, providing full transparency and traceability.
Certification and digital verification
Following inspection, CISS GROUP issues final inspection certificates and detailed analytical reports. Each document is secured with a unique QR code, linking directly to a password-protected portal where digitally signed PDF certificates are stored.
These certificates are protected by cryptographic digital signatures, ensuring integrity, authenticity, and resistance to tampering.
Such documents are frequently required by banks and financial institutions to verify the integrity of trade operations, particularly when financing is provided via letters of credit.