Export Standards for Buttercup Squash




700 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 29

(b) The development of a dull, dark green colour to the skin, with the loss of a glossy sheen on the skin; or

(c) A full orange colour in the flesh.

3.6 “Skin Rub” means any skin abrasion which has not penetrated the flesh.

3.7 “Sound” means free from any decay, rots, overmaturity, breakdown, freezing injury, damage, and similar defects which may cause rapid loss of condition or rapid decay.

3.8 “Storage Defects” means decay, fungal rots, wilt or other injury as a result of storage.

3.9 “Sunburn” means injury from exposure to the sun, expressed as concentrated, bleached, scorched patches on the skin surface, resulting in discoloured and/or damaged flesh.

3.10 “Trimmed” means the stalk is cut cleanly, and: either

(a) is less than 20 mm long; or

(b) does not protrude more than 10 mm above the shoulders of the fruit.

4.0 Provisions Concerning Fruit Quality:

The fruit shall be:

4.1 Free from pests and diseases, and shall meet any quarantine and other legal requirements of the importing country.

4.2 Intact, whole;

4.3 Sound;

4.4 Clean;

4.5 Free from abnormal external moisture;

4.6 Free from foreign smell or taste;

4.7 Mature;

4.8 Trimmed;

4.9 Cured;

4.10 Of high consistency; i.e., with similar varietal characteristics, including shape and colour, and without distortion due to abnormal development;

4.11 Capable of withstanding handling, storage and transport, and arriving at the destination in a Sound condition.

4.12 Free from Sunburn.

4.13 Packed in such a way as to ensure that they are suitably protected from fungi and all other foreign material.

Note: Skin defects which are not liable to impair the keeping qualities are permitted within the limits specified in Schedule Three.

Schedule Two

  1. Provisions Concerning Sizing, Tolerance and Presentation

5.1 Provisions concerning sizing—Sizing is determined by weight at the time of packing. The minimum size of each fruit for export is 1.2 kg and above, and the packages should be marked Grade 1.

5.2 Tolerance—Notwithstanding 5.1 any one package may contain up to 5% of individual fruit which weighs less than 1.2 kg.

5.3 Uniformity—For the purposes of grade, the contents of each package must be uniform; each package must contain only fruit of the same origin, variety, quality, degree of ripeness and size. The visible part of each package shall be representative of the entire contents.

Schedule Three

  1. Allowances for Defects

6.1 Button Loss—is considered an unacceptable defect where the button at the flower end of the fruit is totally removed and there is a concave depression exposing the yellow/orange flesh.

6.2 Discolouration (bronzing)—The result of exposure to the sun. Where the Colour of the affected area is still predominantly green the fruit is acceptable. Where a brown or bronzed Colour is dominant in the affected area, the fruit is not acceptable.

6.3 Vine marks—The vine must not have substantially distorted the outline or shape of the fruit. A vine mark must be:

(a) No deeper than 20 mm from the normal surface of the fruit at the deepest point.

(b) No wider than 20 mm at the widest point.

(c) No longer than 100 mm on fruit weighing less than 2 kg, with a maximum length of 150 mm on fruit 2 kg and over.

6.4 Callousing—Surface callousing (i.e., non-raised areas) is not to exceed 4 square cm in aggregate area on all export fruit from 1.2 kg up to 2 kg in weight, and 6 square cm in aggregate on all export fruit above 2 kg. Callousing with raised areas such as “pimples” or oedema (“warts”) shall not exceed 2 square cm in aggregate area and 5 mm in height at any point.

Note: Smooth, non-raised callousing that blends in with the ground spot is not to be considered callousing for the purposes of 6.4.

6.5 Bruising—marks resulting from pressure shall not:

(a) Have broken the skin.

(b) Exceed 2 square cm in aggregate area on fruit weighing 1.2 kg and above.

(c) Exceed 4 square cm in aggregate area on fruit weighing above 2 kg.

6.6 Cuts are not acceptable on fruit. Cuts or broken skin which may be caused by cutting (knives, secateurs) or impact on sharp edges (stalks, timber, metal) that expose the yellow/orange flesh are unacceptable. Broken stalks that expose the yellow/orange flesh are also unacceptable.

6.7 Dirty fruit—soil, grease, bird droppings or other foreign matter on the fruit is not acceptable.

6.8 Shape—The fruit shall be wider than it is high, and typical of the variety.

6.9 Shrinkage (weight loss)—Shrinkage allowance of 7% of net weight at the time of packing is to be provided for. There is an allowance of 1% weight loss per day for the first 4 days from packing.

6.10 External moisture—All fruit shall be substantially free of external moisture (water from washing procedures) prior to storage for export shipment.

6.11 Field Spot—The aggregate area of Field Spots shall not exceed 4 square cm in area.

6.12 Skin Rub—The aggregate area of Skin Rub shall not exceed:

4 square cm on fruit weighing 1.2–2 kg; and

6 square cm on fruit weighing above 2 kg.

Schedule Four

  1. Definition of Terms in Schedule Four

7.1 “Bin” means a slatted wooden container of 4 sides capable of holding 500 kg of the fruit.

7.2 “Carton” means a package constructed of strengthened cardboard capable of holding 10 kg of the fruit.

  1. Provisions Concerning the Types of Packages to be Used


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🌾 Standard Grade and Types of Packages for Export of Buttercup Squash (continued from previous page)

🌾 Primary Industries & Resources
Buttercup Squash, Export Standards, Agricultural Regulations, Packaging Requirements, Quality Control, Sizing, Defects, Storage