Abstract: Disclosed is a method for coating fruit to inhibit or prevent maturation and ripening of climacteric fruit during post-harvest storage and transport, a fruit item having a coating which inhibits or prevents maturation and ripening of the fruit item during post-harvest storage and transport, and a composition for coating fruit post-harvest to prevent or slow down maturation and ripening of climacteric fruit. The disclosure is in particular suitable for mangos, citrus fruit and bananas.