Organic food continues to gain popularity worldwide. In fact, the global organic food industry has exponentially grown in recent decades, as per Organic Food Research. In choosing food options, consumers are increasingly driven by a growing awareness of health, sustainability, and ethical production.
But what is organic food? At its core, organic food is defined as food grown and produced without synthetic chemicals or genetic modification. However, for large-scale production and imports, strict organic certifications are required to ensure compliance with standards, preserve organic food integrity, and maintain consumer trust.
Organic Grain Storage
Organic grains, which serve as staple food in many nations, are also growing in demand as consumers seek chemical-free and sustainable options. The Organic Grain Market Report projected that the global organic grain market would grow rapidly and reach an estimated $93.8 billion by 2030, an 11% compound annual growth rate.
Growing organic grains is only one part of the process; after which, the post-harvest stage follows as the next critical step in ensuring chemical-free standards are met. Organic grain storage is a process in the post-harvest stage that can be delicate, with common storage challenges posing a greater risk with the organic approach.
Common Organic Grain Storage Challenges
1. Infestations
Insect infestation is one of the biggest causes of post-harvest losses in organic grain storage and general food production. Eliminating infestations is another challenge, with common practices involving synthetic chemicals.
For example, weevils are one of the most common insect pests that target organic grains. These little critters rely on grains and other dry commodities for sustenance and habitat, which can damage quality and quantity when left undisturbed. While phosphine is often used to address this issue, this method is not applicable for organic grain storage.
2. Mold Growth
Mold growth is another persistent problem during organic grain storage. Apart from being unappetizing, molds are also a health hazard due to the risk of producing harmful aflatoxins. While some practices opt for mold suppressants, only certain types are approved for organic use.
Moisture is a primary factor in mold growth. Organic farmers mainly rely on drying to remove excess moisture before storing grains. However, drying can only go so far without proper solutions for organic grain storage.
3. Spoilage
Spoilage is a natural process; all food will eventually spoil. While grains have a longer shelf life, various factors can hasten spoilage. Excess moisture and infestations promote microbial activities and chemical reactions that inevitably lead to grains spoiling. Temperature fluctuations also exacerbate other factors and spoilage.
Proper organic grain storage is critical to prevent spoilage. Cold storage has been a common option for organic products, relying mainly on temperature-controlled environments for preservation. However, this option may be less accessible and more costly due to its reliance on energy.
4. Limited Storage Options
All processes must adhere to strict standards, and post-harvest storage is no exception. When it comes to organic grain storage, options may be limited as viable solutions must provide reliable chemical-free preservation.
Having limited storage options is also a factor why most organic products are consumed right away. Without access to cold storage and other specialized facilities, organic grains are left vulnerable to post-harvest issues that negatively affect their quality and longer shelf life.
How to Keep Organic Grains Chemical-Free Using Hermetic Technology
Hermetic Technology is a viable and more accessible alternative to specialized storage facilities. This simple concept utilizes airtightness to block air and moisture exchange, creating a controlled environment that naturally lowers internal oxygen levels and shields against external factors.
During post-harvest, Hermetic Technology is often used in the storage and transport of grains and other dry agricultural commodities. Its controlled environment eliminates infestations naturally through asphyxiation, while also inhibiting mold growth and microbial activities. Furthermore, Hermetic Technology does not require energy or the use of any synthetic chemicals to function — an ideal standard for organic grain storage.
Today, hermetic storage solutions come in various designs to accommodate specific storage needs. Many of these solutions are readily available and feature portability and easy installation.
The Cocoon™ is a notable example, extensively used in the post-harvest storage of various dry agricultural commodities. This large-scale solution can accommodate organic grain storage of 5 to 300 metric tons, while its Mini Cocoon™ variant can support up to 600 kg. All Cocoon variations allow for easy monitoring and feature an inlet and outlet port suitable for nitrogen (N₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) treatments.
In Photo: Warehouse Cocoon™ used for N₂ treatment (left) and Cocoon™ in outdoor setting undergoing CO₂ treatment (right).
CO₂ treatment is a common and organic-friendly alternative to chemical fumigation. Also known as controlled atmosphere treatment, it involves flushing high concentrations of CO₂ into a hermetic storage to quickly exterminate embedded infestations without leaving any harmful residues. This method has also been approved by the Government of India’s Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine, and Storage for pre-shipment and quarantine purposes under NSPM-25.
For small-scale storage, Hermetic Bag Premium™ provides a layer of airtight security for organic grains traditionally stored in jute and PP bags. Designed as an inner protective liner, it relies on excellent air and water barriers to preserve stored commodities without using synthetic chemicals. Additionally, this hermetic solution is available in multiple sizes with capacities of up to 69 kg and features two secure closing mechanisms: zipper and twist-and-tie.
The demand for organic commodities is set to rise, along with the need for effective organic grain storage to secure quality, safety, and integrity. Leveraging Hermetic Technology offers an accessible, reliable, and chemical-free approach to protecting organic grains from post-harvest storage challenges.
Ready to protect your organic grains? Discover GrainPro’s hermetic storage solutions designed to safeguard your harvest and keep your grains truly organic.