A Review of Emerging Technologies in Agricultural Post-Harvest Processing and Quality Retention

Abstract

Post-harvest losses represent one of the most pressing challenges to global food security, with credible estimates indicating that between 14% and 30% of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted before reaching the consumer. Addressing these losses requires a thorough understanding of the physiological, microbiological, and environmental drivers of deterioration, as well as the technological interventions capable of mitigating them. This narrative review synthesises the current state of knowledge on emerging and established technologies in agricultural post-harvest processing and quality retention, drawing primarily on peer-reviewed literature published between 2007 and 2026. The review examines a broad spectrum of approaches including controlled and modified atmosphere te