China cold storage solution provider
For apple producers in Uzbekistan, Chile, South Africa, or Iran, post-harvest losses can wipe out 20–30% of your income—unless you have reliable cold storage.
But when planning your investment, don’t get stuck on “price per square meter.” Ask:
“For my budget, how many tons of apples can I safely store—and for how many months—without losing crispness, color, or market value?”
📏 How Many Tons of Apples Fit in a Cold Room?
Apples are typically stored in standard wooden bins (400–500 kg each) or plastic crates on pallets. With proper racking and airflow:
Storage density: 4.0 – 5.0 m³ per metric ton
(Includes space for air circulation and bin handling)
Assuming a standard clear height of 5 meters:
| Floor Area | Volume | Apple Storage Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m² | 500 m³ | 100 – 125 tons |
| 200 m² | 1,000 m³ | 200 – 250 tons |
| 1,000 m² | 5,000 m³ | 1,000 – 1,250 tons |
💡 Example: A 1,000 m² cold room can hold over 1,000 tons—enough for a large orchard’s entire premium harvest, stored for 2–6 months depending on variety and technology.
💰 Real Turnkey Cost (USD) – Apple Cold Storage Systems
To achieve long-term storage without scald or shriveling, you need precise control—not just cooling.
| System Type | Size | Total Investment (USD) | Storage Life | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Chilled Room (+0°C to +2°C) | 100 m² | 25,000 | 2–3 months | Good for local market; no gas control |
| Standard CA Room (0°C, 90–95% RH, O₂ 2–3%, CO₂ <1%) | 100 m² | 32,000– 42,000 | 5–6 months | Ideal for Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith |
| Advanced CA + Scrubbing | 200 m² | 60,000– 78,000 | 6–8 months | Ethylene removal, automated gas control |
| Large-Scale CA Facility | 1,000 m² | 260,000– 340,000 | 6–9 months | Multi-zone, remote monitoring, validation-ready |
✅ All prices are turnkey (panels, refrigeration, controls, installation, commissioning)
❌ Excludes: Civil foundation—but includes insulated floor, drainage, and lighting
Note: Systems are engineered for high-ambient climates (e.g., 40°C in Tashkent or Tehran).
🌍 Real Projects Across Key Apple Regions
Namangan, Uzbekistan – Export Cooperative
- Need: Store 900 tons of Golden Delicious for EU shipment
- Solution: 800 m² CA cold room (0°C, 92% RH, ethylene scrubber)
- Cost: $ 225,000 – Result: Achieved Class I arrival quality after 45-day sea freight
- Impact: Sold apples in August at 2.5× harvest price
🔑 Why CA (Controlled Atmosphere) Is Worth the Extra Investment
| Metric | Regular Cold Room | CA Cold Room |
|---|---|---|
| Max Storage Time | 2–3 months | 6–8 months |
| Firmness Retention | ↓ Rapidly after 60 days | ↑ >90% after 180 days |
| Market Flexibility | Sell immediately | Sell during peak demand |
| ROI | Low (commodity pricing) | High (premium timing) |
Yes, CA costs ～40–60% more upfront—but it turns seasonal risk into year-round profit.
📩 Get Your Custom Apple Cold Storage Quote
Tell us:
✅ Apple variety (Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, etc.)
✅ Annual volume (in tons)
✅ Target market (local, EU, Russia, GCC?)
We’ll send you:
- Recommended size (m² & tons)
- Turnkey cost in USD
- Expected storage duration & quality retention
- Pre-cooling & CA system specs