China cold storage solution provider
Papaya is a high-value tropical fruit—but it’s also high-risk. Due to its climacteric nature, it ripens rapidly after harvest. At ambient temperatures, papayas soften, develop black spots, and rot within 7–10 days.
But with proper cold storage, you can:
✔️ Extend shelf life to 35–40 days
✔️ Reduce post-harvest loss from 30% → under 8%
✔️ Ship by sea (not air!) to Europe or the Gulf—and still meet quality standards
So how much does it cost—and how much can you actually store?
📦 Papaya Storage Capacity vs. Investment
| Storage Need | Room Volume | Floor Area* | Total Cost (USD) | Papaya Stored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Exporter | 600 m³ | 150 m² (4m height) | 50,000 | 120 – 140 metric tons |
| Mid-Sized Co-op | 2,000 m³ | 500 m² | 135,000 | 400 – 460 metric tons |
| Large Packing House | 5,000 m³ | 1,250 m² | 280,000 | 1,000 – 1,150 metric tons |
*Assumes standard export cartons (10–12 kg/box), stacked 5–6 layers with airflow gaps.
Papaya density: ～200–220 kg/m³ (due to shape and ventilation needs).
❄️ Critical Storage Conditions for Papaya
Unlike apples or citrus, papaya is extremely sensitive to cold injury and moisture:
- Temperature: 10–13°C (never below 10°C!)
- Relative Humidity: 60–65% RH (low humidity prevents black rot)
- Airflow: Gentle circulation—no direct cold air on fruit
- Pre-cooling: Must be cooled to 13°C within 6–8 hours of harvest
- No water contact: Even condensation causes skin pitting and decay
⚠️ Storing at 5°C (like apples) = severe chilling injury → sunken lesions, off-flavor, rapid spoilage.
💰 What’s Included in the Price?
A turnkey papaya cold room includes:
✅ 100mm PU insulated panels (smooth, washable interior)
✅ Precision refrigeration system (±0.5°C stability)
✅ Humidity control + dehumidification
✅ Digital monitoring with SMS/email alerts
✅ High-speed insulated doors (minimize warm air ingress)
✅ Installation, commissioning, and operator training
🌍 Real-World Insight
A papaya exporter in Rayong, Thailand built a 600m³ cold room to serve EU supermarkets:
- Total Investment: $ 46,000 USD
- Capacity: Stores 130 tons of Solo papaya
- Result:
- Reduced rejection rate from 28% → 5%
- Switched from air freight to sea freight (saved $ 3.20/kg)
- Secured year-round contract with German retailer
- Achieved ROI in 9 months
“Before cold storage, we lost half our crop during summer. Now, we ship weekly—even in July.”
— Export Manager, Eastern Fruit Co.