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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Assess the quality of litchis for export 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243855  Assess the quality of litchis for export 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Secondary Agriculture: Processing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe the composition and structure of the litchi exporting industry in South Africa.
  • Be conversant with the litchi export terminology.
  • Comply with the legislative and logistical requirements for the exportation of litchis.
  • Draw a representative sample of litchis for quality assessment.
  • Conduct the external and internal examination of litchis for quality assessment.
  • Inspect and verify the various components that ensure the maintenance of the cold chain.
  • Evaluate the overall suitability of a litchi consignment for export. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Mathematical Literacy and Communication at NQF 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Outline the background and structure of the litchi exporting industry. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Background includes but is not limited to; Origin of varieties, South African litchi production areas, global competition, industry role players and their functions, export markets, export statistics, exporting chain, cultivation, harvesting and post harvest treatments, research and development; derivative products, temperature regimes/protocols, packaging, handling, post harvest techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The origin of the various litchi varieties and the chief cultivars that have been produced from these are
    described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The major litchi production areas in South Africa are identified and the main cultivars that are grown in each area are listed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The products that are derived from litchis and the contribution that these products provide to the overall litchi exports are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Derivative products include but are not limited to:
  • Juice, caned and concentrates.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The extent of the global litchi export industry, with regard to production levels and statistics are outlined and the countries that constitute South Africa's competition are detailed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The composition and operation of the various steps in the litchi export chain are detailed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The role players in the litchi export industry are listed and the function that they each perform is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    A brief outline of the best practices for the cultivation, harvesting and post harvest treatment of litchis are related and the ways in which the observance of these will enhance the achievement of export quality are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The positive contribution that ongoing research and development has on the viability and profitability of litchi exports is described and the focus areas where constant improvement is being sought, are identified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the definitions and applications of the terminology used in the litchi export industry. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to:

    Reasons, ensure correct identification, application and interpretation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons why all role players and participants in the litchi export industry should understand and use the specific terminology are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The definition and relevance of the general terminology that is used in the export industry is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General terminology includes but is not limited to:
  • Arthropoda, APS act (Agricultural Products Standards), PPECB act (Perishable Products Export Control Board Act), assessor, consignment, cosmetic, container, count, chemical residues, diameter, FBO (Food Business Operator), food safety, foreign matter, hazard, internal breakdown, inspector, pre- packed unit, suitable, traceability, SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures), MRL's (Maximum Residual Levels).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The definition and application of the terminology that is used to describe and determine the quality of litchis is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Specific litchi terminology includes but is not limited to:
  • Blemish, clean, decay, dirty fruit, injury, maturity, sound, litchi.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the legislative and logistical requirements for the exportation of litchis and the necessary processes to ensure compliance. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The requirements and processes include but are not limited to:
  • Legislative requirements, documentation prerequisites, food safety, facility inspection criteria, line observation, inspection of: cartons, containers, pallets, marking, industry processes and documentation, QMS (Quality Management System). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The legislative requirements that must be met before an export inspection will be conducted, are indicated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legislative requirements include but are not limited to:
  • Service request, facilities inspection, registration with PPECB (Perishable Products Export Control Board), DOA (Department Of Agriculture), DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), dispensations, documentation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The logistics that have to be verified before an inspection may be conducted are detailed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Logistics include but are not limited to:
  • Documentation: notice of inspection, service request, consignment note.
  • General requirements; regulations and protocols, inspection fees, product presentation and identification.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various food safety standards that must be adhered to and the procedures to ensure compliance to these are indicated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The requirements for cartons, containers and pallets, that are intended to house/transport litchis and the procedures for their inspection, as per the regulations and SOPs are detailed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The necessity of providing the correct lighting and inspection environment for the quality determination of litchis is explained and the facility requirements, as per SOPs are listed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The packing requirements for the exportation of litchis, as per regulations and SOPs are indicated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The marking requirements that must be used on containers and consignments for the identification of export litchis, as per the regulations are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The industry processes and documentation that are utilised in the exportation of litchis, according to the relevant SOP's, are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Processes and documentation include but are not limited to:
  • Harvesting and handling methods, market requirements, protocols, post harvest treatment, SOP's, transport, pre-cooling.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The necessity and benefits of establishing and implementing a quality management system for litchi exportation are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Necessity and benefits include but are not limited to:
  • Market requirements, client confidence, ensure traceability, quality assurance, food safety, performance audits.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Draw a representative sample of litchis for export inspection. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The sampling range includes but is not limited to:
  • Aim of sampling, validation of quality, Principles of sampling, representative, working samples, deviating samples, MRL's (Maximum Residual Levels) sampling, SO2 (Sulphur Di-Oxide) sampling methodology, regulations, company SOP's (Standard Operating Procedure). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The aims and objectives of sampling and the importance of obtaining a representative sample from a litchi consignment are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principles of sampling and the reasons why these must be applied when litchi sampling is conducted are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles include but are not limited to:
  • Random, predictable, selective, position.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function and benefits of conducting a line observation before a litchi sampling commences are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Function and benefits include but are not limited to:
  • Uniformity of litchi characteristics, grading procedures, packing procedures.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The litchi sampling methodology and the criteria for examination of a consignment as per regulations or the company's SOPs are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The size and percentage of a consignment that must be drawn for litchi inspection, as per the regulations or the company's SOPs are detailed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The methods of drawing a representative sample of litchis are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The reasons why a MRL sample must be drawn from a litchi consignment are explained and the procedures for conducting the sampling are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The reasons for conducting a separate SO2 sampling are explained and the procedures for the drawing of the sample are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The importance of identifying and including possible deviating specimens when conducting litchi sampling is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Determine the external quality of litchis for compliance to export standards. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The external quality considerations include but are not limited to:
  • General appearance, colour, diameter, uniformity, unspecified defects, instruments market needs, company SOP's. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The general appearance and shape of the various litchi cultivars, as per the standards, are indicated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of comparing and verifying the overall colouration of litchis to the appropriate colour charts for each cultivar is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The methods to determine the diameter and overall dimensions of export quality litchis, as per the standards are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The methods to determine the average mass of export quality litchis, as per the standards are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The various malformations that preclude litchis from export acceptance are indicated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The effect that hail marks have on the acceptability of litchis for export and the tolerances that are allowed, are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The various external defects and the tolerances that are acceptable for the evaluation of a litchi consignment are detailed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    External defects include but are not limited to:
  • Arthropoda, blemishes, decay, tolerances, dirty fruit, skin discolouration, mould growth, sooty mould, incomplete sulphuring, double litchis, torn out stems, long stems, blue sulphur marks.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The unspecified factors/non conformities on the fruit that render the litchis unsuitable for export are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The instruments that are used to examine litchis for compliance to the standards are detailed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instruments include but are not limited to:
  • Sizing rings, colour charts for quality defects, scale (nett weight).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    Examples of special market requirements for litchis, that are in addition to the standards, are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Determine the internal quality of litchis for compliance to export standards. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The internal quality considerations include but are not limited to:
  • Maturity testing, sensorial testing. internal defects, unspecified quality defects, instruments. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The methods for the testing the maturity of the various litchi cultivars are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The procedures for the removal of the litchi shell are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various internal defects that preclude the acceptance of a consignment of litchis for export are listed and the specific signs that these exhibit are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Internal defects include but are not limited to:
  • Decay due to insects, injuries/internal damage, internal breakdown.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The sensorial testing of the litchi flesh and the characteristic taste that is required, are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The unspecified internal defects that render litchis unsuitable for export are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Monitor the cold chain regimens/protocols and procedures to maintain the condition of litchis. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The protocols and maintenance criteria include but are not limited to:
  • Climacteric characteristics of litchis, physiological processes, need for refrigeration, recommended temperature regimes/protocols, consequences of non adherence, principles of airflow management, cartons for sufficient ventilation, types of ventilation, inland Loading procedures, Inland RRMT (Refrigerated Road Motor Transport) loading, shipping, voyage and discharge temperature management, verification of cold chain facilities, cold chain equipment. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The non climacteric characteristics of litchis are detailed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The post harvest physiological processes that litchis undergo and the effects that refrigeration has on these processes is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The temperature regimes/protocols that are recommended for the transportation and storage of litchis are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not following the recommended temperature regimes/protocols are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The basic principles of airflow management, and their applicability to litchis are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The necessity of utilising cartons that allow sufficient ventilation for litchis is explained and the various types of ventilation that are utilised, are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The various cold chain facilities that require verification are listed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Facilities include but are not limited to:
  • Cold stores and container, registration, certification and current condition.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The inland loading procedures for litchis and the various items that require verification as per the SOPs are detailed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Loading procedures include but are not limited to:
  • Booking and CTO (Container Terminal Order), container settings, pre-trip; cleanliness, structure/seals, TTT (Temperature Time Tolerances), container settings, documentation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The procedures for inland RRMT(Refrigerated Road Motor Transport) loading, as per the South African Road Distribution Association specifications are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    The shipping, voyage and discharge temperature management, including the shipping temperature regimes that must be followed for litchis, are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    The various equipment and instruments that are used in monitoring and maintaining the cold chain are detailed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment and instruments include but are not limited to:
  • Thermometers, temperature recorders, thermocouples, seals.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8 
    Determine the outcome of the quality assessment for a litchi consignment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The outcome criteria include but are not limited to:
  • Evaluation of overall results, documentation, food safety, containers and packaging, external quality findings, internal quality findings, final decision, approval procedures, rejection procedures and alternatives, re-inspection and certification, appeal procedures. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various documentation that will affect the evaluation of a litchi consignment and the effect that these have on the determination parameters of acceptable quality is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Documentation includes but is not limited to:
  • Dispensations, SLA's (Service Level Agreements).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The food safety considerations that determine the acceptability of a litchi consignment for export, as per regulations are detailed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Considerations include but are not limited to:
  • Hygienic status of containers, physical state of containers, MRL's.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various packaging and marking requirements that are considered in the evaluation of a litchi consignment, as per regulations, are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements include but are not limited to:
  • Suitability of containers, condition of containers, marking requirements, trace ability.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance that the evaluation of external quality findings against the allowable tolerances and standards has on the determination of acceptability of a litchi consignment is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role that the evaluation of internal quality findings, compared to the allowable tolerances and standards, has on the determination of acceptability of a litchi consignment is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The documentation and procedures that have to be followed on the approval of a litchi consignment are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Documentation and procedures include but are not limited to:
  • Approval documentation, application of relevant stickers/labels, issue certification and addendum (if necessary).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The documentation and procedures that have to be followed on the rejection of an export litchi consignment and the alternative markets that may be considered for this consignment are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Documentation and procedures include but are not limited to:
  • Rejection notification and documentation, application of relevant stickers, review dispensation options, optional or alternative standards/markets.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The maximum period from inspection to shipping, for which a litchi export certificate is valid, is given and the procedures and documentation that must be followed for the subsequent re inspection are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The procedures that must be followed when an appeal has been lodged, are described. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities.
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Applying the export standards to evaluate the conformity of a litchi consignment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or communities by:
  • Participating with others in the verifying of the storage conditions for litchis. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Preparing to conduct the sampling and assessment of a litchi consignment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Documenting the results of the external and internal litchi examinations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation by:
  • Formulating the litchi compliance report and communicating the findings to the relevant parties. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Utilising the necessary equipment to conduct the dimensional test for litchis. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to contribute to the full personal development of themselves and the social and economic development of the society at large.
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    The Learner:
  • Is expected to perform the specific outcomes reflected in this unit standard without direct supervision.
  • Should have access to work site procedures.
  • Should demonstrate an application of ethics and values.
  • Must apply basic principles of general safety and customer care.
  • Should demonstrate an awareness of the expectations and obligations of basic employee/employer relations including industrial relations principles.

    At this level the communication/reporting of issues arising in the workplace, is embedded in the specific outcomes and the related assessment criteria.

    It is understood that, due to the nature of the work environment and the skills level of the Learner, that the aspects of teamwork form an integral part of the necessary specific outcomes and related assessment criteria.

    The points included under the notes, should be included when the qualifying Learners are being assessed. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58348   National Certificate: Perishable Produce Export Technology  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.