China cold storage solution provider
Citrus is one of the world’s most traded fruits—but without proper cold storage, 20–30% spoils before it reaches buyers. At ambient temperatures, oranges soften, mandarins dry out, and mold spreads fast.
But with the right cold room, you can:
✔️ Store sweet oranges for 4–5 months
✔️ Hold mandarins for 2–3 months
✔️ Sell during off-season price peaks (often 2–3x harvest prices)
So how much does it cost—and how much can you actually store?
📦 Storage Capacity: How Many Tons Fit in a Citrus Cold Room?
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Typical Room Size | 200 m² × 4.0 m height = 800 m³ |
| Storage Format | Standard export cartons (10–15 kg/box) on EUR pallets |
| Stacking Height | 6–7 layers (with airflow gaps) |
| Storage Density | ～210 kg/m³ (industry standard for ventilated citrus) |
| Usable Capacity | 165 – 180 metric tons per batch |
💡 Ideal for Navel oranges, Satsuma, Clementine, Ponkan, or local mandarin varieties.
💰 Total Investment: What You Actually Pay
A turnkey citrus cold room (200m², 2–8°C, humidity-controlled) typically costs:
44,000– 56,000 USD
Key System Features:
- Temperature: Adjustable 2–10°C (e.g., 2–4°C for Navel oranges, 6–8°C for Ponkan)
- Humidity: 85–90% RH (prevents rind shriveling without promoting mold)
- Insulation: 100–120mm PU panels with smooth, washable interior
- Airflow: Low-velocity circulation (high speed damages delicate rinds)
- Monitoring: Cloud-based system with SMS alerts for temp/humidity drift
⚠️ Critical: Storing citrus below its tolerance (e.g., Ponkan at 2°C) causes chilling injury—pitting, browning, and rapid decay.
🍊 Shelf Life by Variety (With Proper Cold Storage)
| Citrus Type | Optimal Temp | Max Storage Duration | Price Premium Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navel / Valencia Orange | 2–4°C | 3–4 months | High (EU/GCC winter demand) |
| Satsuma / Clementine | 4–6°C | 2–3 months | Very high (festive season) |
| Ponkan / Local Mandarin | 7–10°C | 7–8 weeks | Moderate (regional markets) |
Without cold storage, all lose marketability in 2–3 weeks.
🌍 Real-World Insight
A citrus growers’ co-op in Mersin, Turkey built a 200m² cold room to serve EU and Gulf buyers:
- Total Investment: $ 51,000 USD
- Capacity: Stores 175 tons of Navel oranges
- Result:
- Reduced post-harvest loss from 26% → 5%
- Extended sales window from December → April
- Sold 60% of stock at 2.3x harvest price
- Achieved ROI in 10 months
“Before cold storage, we begged traders to buy during harvest glut. Now, we choose when to sell.”
— Export Manager, Mediterranean Citrus Union