China cold storage solution provider
Fresh mushrooms are one of the most perishable agricultural products. After harvesting, they continue to breathe and lose moisture rapidly, leading to browning, softening, and decay — which not only affects appearance and freshness but also reduces their market value.
To keep mushrooms fresh for a long time, a controlled atmosphere (CA) cold room is the most effective solution. It maintains stable temperature, humidity, and gas composition (O₂ and CO₂), greatly extending the shelf life while preserving texture and flavor.
1. Why Use a Controlled Atmosphere Cold Room for Mushrooms
Compared with ordinary cold storage, a CA cold room offers advanced control over oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. This helps slow down mushroom respiration and microbial growth, ensuring longer freshness and higher market value.
There are two main types of mushroom CA cold storage systems:
- Natural CA storage: Uses the mushrooms’ own respiration to gradually reduce oxygen and increase CO₂ concentration.
- Mechanical CA storage: Actively regulates O₂ and CO₂ through specialized equipment for precise control — ideal for long-term, large-scale storage and export purposes.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mushroom Cold Room?
The total cost of a mushroom CA cold storage room depends on its capacity, temperature range, and control system.
| Storage Capacity | Estimated Cost (USD) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 50–100 m³ | $12,000 – $18,000 | Small farm or local distributor |
| 300–500 m³ | $40,000 – $60,000 | Medium-sized mushroom producer |
| 1,000–2,000 m³ | $90,000 – $150,000 | Commercial export-scale storage |
Cost per cubic meter: generally between $200–$350/m³ depending on equipment brand, insulation thickness, and automation level.
Storage capacity: about 350–400 kg of mushrooms per cubic meter (depending on packaging and variety).
So, for a 1,000 m³ CA cold room, you can store approximately 350–400 tons of fresh mushrooms at once.
Cost per cubic meter: generally between $200–$350/m³ depending on equipment brand, insulation thickness, and automation level.
3. Recommended Temperature & Gas Settings for Different Mushrooms
| Mushroom Type | Storage Temperature | Relative Humidity | O₂ Concentration | CO₂ Concentration | Storage Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Button Mushroom | 0–1°C | 90–95% | 0–1% | 25% | 10–12 days |
| Oyster Mushroom | 3–4°C | 85–90% | 1–3% | 4–5% | 15–20 days |
| Shiitake | 0–4°C | 95–98% | 2–3% | 10–13% | 15–20 days |
| Straw Mushroom | 0–2°C | 90–95% | — | — | 14–15 days |
| Enoki Mushroom | 2–4°C | 85–90% | — | — | 4–5 days |
| Black Fungus (Auricularia) | 2–4°C | 85–90% | — | — | 10–15 days |
Proper CA cold room management can double or triple mushroom shelf life compared to regular refrigeration.
4. Additional Factors Affecting Cold Room Cost
- Refrigeration System Brand: Bitzer, Copeland, Danfoss, etc.
- Insulation Panel Material: PU, PIR, or rock wool.
- Automation & Monitoring: Digital control system with temperature and gas sensors.
- Location & Electricity Cost: Affects installation and operational expenses.
5. Why Choose a CA Cold Room for Mushrooms
- Keeps mushrooms firm, white, and fresh longer.
- Reduces post-harvest loss by up to 60%.
- Ensures consistent supply for supermarkets and exports.
- Provides faster ROI (usually within 1–2 years due to reduced waste).