China cold storage solution provider
A 300-square-meter chilled storage room is one of the most common cold chain investments for farms, packing houses, and wholesale markets. But clients don’t just ask “how much per m²?”—they want to know:
✅ What’s the total cost in USD?
✅ How many tons of mangoes, tomatoes, or leafy greens can I actually store?
✅ Will it pay for itself?
Here’s a realistic, turnkey breakdown based on real projects across emerging markets.
📦 Storage Capacity: How Much Produce Fits in 300m²?
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Room Dimensions | 300 m² × 3.0 m height = 900 m³ |
| Storage Method | Palletized cartons or bulk bins with airflow gaps |
| Typical Density | 200–250 kg/m³ (varies by crop) |
| Usable Capacity | 180 – 225 metric tons of fresh produce |
💡 Examples:
- Tomatoes: ～200 tons
- Mangoes: ～190 tons
- Leafy greens (packed): ～160 tons (lower density due to packaging)
This space typically holds 7–10 days of peak harvest output—giving you time to sort, pack, and negotiate better prices.
💰 Total Investment: What You Actually Pay
A turnkey 300m² fresh produce cold room (0–5°C, humidity-controlled) typically costs:
42,000– 48,000 USD
Key System Components Included:
- Insulation: 100mm fire-rated PU panels with food-grade steel cladding
- Refrigeration: 30HP Bitzer/Copeland compressor (equivalent to “30P”)
- Evaporators: 2× DL210 ceiling-mounted units with electric defrost
- Humidity Control: 85–95% RH (adjustable per crop—e.g., high for greens, moderate for onions)
- Controls: Digital thermostat + remote monitoring via mobile app
- Installation & Commissioning: Full turnkey service
⚠️ Critical: Temperature must be stable within ±0.5°C. Fluctuations cause condensation → mold → rejection by supermarkets.
🌍 Real-World Insight
A mango exporter in Krabi, Thailand built a 300m² chilled room to serve EU and GCC buyers:
- Total Cost: $ 44,000 USD
- Capacity: Stores 195 tons of Nam Dok Mai mangoes
- Result:
- Reduced post-harvest loss from 25% → 5%
- Extended shelf life from 8 days → 21 days
- Enabled sea freight to Dubai (saved $ 2.80/kg vs. air)
- Achieved ROI in 9 months
“Before this cold room, we lost a truckload every week. Now, we ship when the market is right—not when the fruit is rotting.”
— Operations Manager, Andaman Fresh Exports