Blueberry supply chain: Critical steps impacting fruit quality and application of a boosted regression tree model to predict weight loss

• Shipping, store display and consumer are critical steps, impacting quality waste. Boosted regression tree model predicted weight loss at the end of storage. Vapour Pressure Deficit, time, point in supply chain influence loss. Blueberries have increased popularity recent years due to their nutritional benefits sensory characteristics. However, preserve extend shelf-life, they need be maintained refrigerated temperatures high relative humidity, conditions that not routinely met along chain. Poor temperature management leads deterioration, increasing waste/losses This study examined impact each step on physichochemical shelf-life blueberries, identifying most steps from field consumption. The following were identified as blueberry chain: shipping distribution centre (DC) (72 h 5 °C), (48 15 20 °C). Given economic importance its link fruit a boosted (BRT) was built predict using post-harvest environmental simulated applying different temperature-time scenarios. explained 84 % variance test set highlighted interactions