China cold storage solution provider
For cucumber exporters, seizing the right sales opportunity is crucial. Without proper cold storage, up to 40% of cucumbers will wilt, turn yellow, or rot before reaching buyers.
But when planning a cucumber cold room, skip the folklore about “harvesting at dawn.” Ask instead:
“For my investment, how many export cartons can I store at 4°C—and how many extra weeks of market flexibility do I get?”
Temperature & Shelf Life: The Bottom Line
| Condition | Storage Temp | Relative Humidity | Max Safe Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh, unblemished cucumbers | 4–6°C | 75–85% RH | 35–40 days |
⚠️ Critical thresholds:
- Above 8°C → rapid yellowing & softening
- Below 2°C → chilling injury (pitting, water-soaked spots)
- Low humidity (<70%) → shriveling, weight loss → lower grade pricing
Unlike bananas or tomatoes, cucumbers are highly sensitive to ethylene—so never store them near apples, avocados, or ripening fruit.
📏 How Much Can You Store? (By Carton or Ton)
Standard export packaging:
- 8–10 kg carton (common in Egypt,Mexico)
- Pallet load: 60–72 cartons (≈500–700 kg/pallet)
| Facility Size | Floor Area | Usable Volume | Storage Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (300 tons) | ～600 m² | 2,700 m³ | 25,000 – 30,000 cartons |
| Medium (600 tons) | ～1,100 m² | 5,000 m³ | 50,000 – 60,000 cartons |
| Large (1,000 tons) | ～1,800 m² | 8,300 m³ | 83,000 – 100,000 cartons |
💡 Most clients use single-zone design at 4.5°C ±0.5°C with high airflow to prevent condensation—key for preventing surface mold.
💰 Turnkey Investment (USD)
All systems include:
- 100mm PU insulated panels (aluminum cladding, B1 fire-rated)
- Precision refrigeration (±0.5°C control, EC fans)
- Humidity management (wet-wall or ultrasonic system)
- Digital monitoring with SMS/email alerts
| Capacity | Total Cost (USD) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 300 tons | 128,000 | Basic 4°C control, manual defrost |
| 600 tons | 220,000 | Auto-defrost, remote temp logging |
| 1,000 tons | 290,000 340,000 | Parallel compressors, backup power interface, cloud dashboard |
✅ Turnkey includes: design, panels, refrigeration, electrical, installation, commissioning
❌ Excludes: land, concrete slab, utility hookups
Systems are engineered for high ambient temps (up to 48°C) and monsoon humidity
🌍 Real Projects – Serving Cucumber Exporters Worldwide
Sfax, Tunisia – Mediterranean Exporter
- Need: Extend shelf life for weekly sea freight to Italy and Spain
- Solution: 600-ton cold room at 5°C with humidity control and ethylene scrubber
- Cost: $ 208,000
🔑 Why Precision Cooling = Higher Profit
| Risk | Poor Control | Professional System |
|---|---|---|
| Temp swing >1°C | Yellowing → rejected loads | Consistent green color → premium pricing |
| High humidity + poor airflow | Surface mold → downgraded | Dry, crisp skin → Grade A |
| Ethylene exposure | Accelerated decay | Isolated storage → full shelf life |
A well-run cucumber cold room doesn’t just extend life—it protects your contract compliance and brand reputation.
📩 Get Your Custom Cucumber Storage Plan
Tell us:
✅ Monthly volume (tons or cartons?)
✅ Target market (EU, GCC, local retail?)
✅ Power reliability?
We’ll provide:
- Recommended size (m² + carton capacity)
- Turnkey cost in USD
- Expected shelf-life extension
- ROI based on spoilage reduction
Store longer. Sell smarter. Waste less.