How Much Does a –35°C Blast Freezer Cost for a Food Factory? (Price, Capacity & ROI)

If you process meat, seafood, or ready meals, a –35°C blast freezer isn’t optional—it’s essential for locking in quality, meeting export standards, and reducing waste.

📦 What Matters Most: Daily Throughput, Not Just Floor Area

Unlike cold storage, a blast freezer is measured by output—not volume. A typical 50m² (≈540 sq ft) –35°C blast freezer is designed for rapid core freezing, not long-term holding.

💡 This system turns fresh catch or slaughter output into export-ready frozen product within hours—critical for EU, GCC, and US compliance.

💰 Total Investment: What You Actually Pay

A turnkey –35°C blast freezer (50m², industrial-grade) typically costs:

52,000– 70,000 USD

Key Components Included:

• Insulation: 200mm fire-rated PU panels (essential for –35°C stability)
• Refrigeration: Twin 20–25HP Bitzer/Copeland compressors with cascade system
• Evaporators: High-velocity ceiling units (air speed >3 m/s for rapid heat transfer)
• Doors: Insulated rapid-roll doors with air curtains
• Control System: PLC-based auto-cycle control + remote monitoring

⚠️ Note: If you need continuous IQF tunnel freezing (not batch), costs rise to 120K–120K– 200K+—but throughput jumps to 35+ tons/day.

🌍 Real-World Insight

A poultry processor in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam installed a 50m² –35°C blast freezer to serve EU buyers:

• Total Cost: $ 65,000 USD
• Daily Output: 15 tons of frozen chicken thighs
• Result:
  • Reduced drip loss from 8% → 2.5% (higher yield)
  • Passed EU veterinary audits with zero temperature deviations
  • Increased export price by 18% due to consistent quality
  • Achieved ROI in 9 months

“Slower freezers gave us ‘frozen mush.’ This one gives us premium texture—and premium prices.”
— Production Manager, Mekong Poultry Export Co.