China cold storage solution provider
Pineapple, also known as “Fengli” in Taiwan and Southeast Asia, is one of the most popular tropical fruits. Its sweet and tangy flavor makes it a favorite among both adults and children. However, pineapples are highly sensitive to low temperatures. If stored incorrectly in ordinary refrigeration, they may suffer from chilling injury or black heart disease, which shortens their shelf life.
Unlike some fruits, pineapple belongs to climacteric fruits—it continues to ripen after harvest, which reduces its storage life. To keep pineapples fresh for longer, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage is one of the most effective methods.
Pineapple Cold Storage Method (CA Storage)
1. Harvesting Guidelines
- Harvest in the early morning after dew has dried on a sunny day.
- Avoid harvesting during rainy weather, as excessive surface moisture may increase the risk of rot during storage.
2. Sorting & Grading
- Sort pineapples by size.
- Remove diseased, damaged, or underdeveloped fruits.
3. Pre-Cooling
- Pre-cooling is essential before storage.
- Forced-air pre-cooling is recommended, but the process should be completed within 48 hours.
4. Temperature & Humidity Control
- Optimal temperature: around 7°C.
- Avoid temperatures below 4°C (risk of chilling injury) and above 15°C (faster decay).
- Relative humidity: about 85%.
- Oxygen concentration: ~2%.
- CO₂ concentration: 0%.
Under these controlled conditions, pineapples can be stored for 40–50 days, maintaining fresh skin color, green crown, and firm texture, while reducing mold growth and spoilage.
👉 For reference, you can also check our [fruits and Vegetable Cold Storage Project Case] to see real-world examples of cost, design, and construction details.