the importance of the food warehouse in logistics

While the year 2022 is marked by a decline in consumer confidence in the food sector, this is intensifying due to numerous crises discouraging public opinion. Today more than ever, the logistics organization and the security of the goods appear to be a crucial issue for logisticians.

A food logistics warehouse

Food logistics revolves around a set of coordination operations for the transfer of goods from the place of production, through preparation, to the final consumer. However, this flow by its perishable nature requires more precautions and monitoring than any other type of flow. Indeed, with the exception of preserves, alcohol and certain dry foods, the composition is likely to deteriorate. It is therefore necessary to work with products whose content needs to be consumed before a specific date. Traceability, compliance with hygiene standards and temperature are also essential elements to include in the logistician's thinking.

How to better understand food logistics?

To better understand how it works, it seems necessary to differentiate product categories. Each of them will have specific needs, which will require a certain rigor on the part of all the agents in the supply chain.

3 types of goods

1 - Food at room temperature

Vacuum-packed foodstuffs, preserves, prepared products, etc.

Bulk foodstuffs (Example: cereal products)

Foods with variable temperatures that are shipped and air-cooled (Example: fruits and vegetables)

 2 - Refrigerated foodstuffs

3 - Frozen foods

Choose the logistician adapted to your needs

Consideration is to be expected when it comes to finding the right logistics provider. Indeed, not all logisticians provide the same services and some prefer to focus only on one or more categories of goods (fresh, ambient temperature, controlled temperature), in order to bring their expertise to customers.

The parameters to consider

The warehouse

This is the main concern when it comes to storing perishable products. Indeed, some goods require special storage conditions. It will therefore be necessary for the logistics provider to be equipped with a suitable warehouse.

Among them we find: (according to the Regional Observatory of Commercial Real Estate)

Class A warehouses

• 9.30 meters minimum height
• Maneuvering area at least 35 m deep
• Ground resistance of 5 tons per square meter
• Heating system
• 1 dock for 1500 m2 of warehouse

Class B warehouses

• 7.50 meters minimum height
• Maneuvering area at least 32 m deep
• Ground resistance of 3 tons per square meter
• Heating installation
• 1 which for 1500 m2 warehouse

Class C warehouses

• Warehouse that is neither class A nor class B
• Example: cold stores / ambient temperature stores

Transportation

It is also an important choice. Indeed, at the start of the supply chain, fresh foods will be transported by air, while frozen foods or long-ripening fruits will be sent by sea. They will be kept cool in reefer-type containers during the trip to the logistics warehouse. Finally, from the warehouse to the end customer, the goods travel by land in temperature-controlled trucks.

The packaging

Depending on the type of product, it also has its importance. Unlike cereal products, which can be stored in big bags or drums, fresh products are subject to greater consideration. The packaging will condition the state of the product sold to the consumer.

XP LOG expertise

When it comes to agri-food logistics, XP LOG is now positioned as a specialist in terms of management and storage of goods (CAT 1) warehouse at ambient temperature.

XP LOG has a team of professionals to support and advise you in the management of your agro-food logistics:

• Raw materials: coffee, raw materials for products intended to fight against malnutrition
• Dry products: grocery products such as canned goods
• Products of animal or vegetable origin: dried fruits, nuts

Thanks to its recognized expertise, XP LOG has the ability to support you in the management of your agri-food flows. Its teams and its information system ensure, among other things, the management of SSCC (Serial shipping container code) numbers and also DESADV (Despatch Advice) allowing the sending in EDI of shipping advice (used by the actors of retail). Moreover, if necessary, XP LOG is able to perform sampling operations.

XP LOG also has BIO-EU certification. This certifies that the storage, logistics, relabeling and sampling activities comply with European regulation No. 834/2002 relating to organic farming, but also recognized by the "National Organic Program" managed by USDA US Department of Agriculture. These certifications allow the marketing of organic products throughout the European Union.

An efficient organization

Agri-food logistics leads to a high turnover of goods. Indeed, it must be taken into account that this type of merchandise is often stored before being sent to supermarkets. To do this, at XP LOG methods are put in place to ensure the proper loading and unloading of goods. In the warehouse, the goods are stored according to their DLUO.

In the particular case of these perishable goods, the method used is the “First in, First Out” FIFO. This makes it possible to respect the DLUO and not to know any exceeding of the expiry dates. The operational means deployed by XP LOG have ensured complete customer satisfaction for more than 20 years.