China cold storage solution provider
For plum growers in Chile, Turkey, South Africa, Vietnam, or Colombia, summer harvest means urgency. Without proper cold chain, up to 30–40% of your crop can rot before reaching market.
But building a cold room isn’t just about “keeping fruit cool.” It’s about locking in color, firmness, and export value—for 60+ days.
So before you dive into humidity levels or O₂ percentages, ask:
“What’s my total investment? And how many tons of plums can I safely store per season?”
📏 How Many Tons of Plums Fit in a Cold Room?
Plums are typically stored in ventilated plastic crates or cartons (10–12 kg each). With proper racking and airflow:
Storage density: 4.5 – 5.5 m³ per metric ton
(Includes space between pallets for air circulation in CA mode)
| Cold Room Size | Volume (5m height) | Plum Storage Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m² | 500 m³ | 90 – 110 tons |
| 200 m² | 1,000 m³ | 180 – 220 tons |
| 500 m² | 2,500 m³ | 450 – 550 tons |
💡 Example: A 200 m² cold room can hold ～200 tons of plums—enough for a mid-sized orchard’s entire premium harvest.
💰 Real Turnkey Cost (USD) – For Commercial Plum Storage
To achieve 60+ days of shelf life, you need more than a basic freezer. You need a temperature + humidity + gas-controlled (CA) system built for stone fruit.
| System Type | Size | Total Investment (USD) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Chilled Room (+0°C, no CA) | 100 m² | 32,000 | Good for short-term (20–25 days); not ideal for export |
| Full CA Room (0°C, 90% RH, O₂ 3–5%, CO₂ 2–5%) | 100 m² | 48,000 | Extends life to 60–70 days; maintains firmness & color |
| CA Room | 200 m² | 85,000 | Includes gas monitoring, humidification, backup alarm |
| CA Room | 500 m² | 190,000 | Automated control, remote access, validation-ready |
✅ All prices include:
- 100–120mm PU panels
- Precision refrigeration (±0.5°C stability)
- Humidification system (80–95% RH)
- CA gas mixing & monitoring unit
- Installation & commissioning
Note: Systems are designed for high-ambient regions (e.g., 35–40°C in Antalya or Ho Chi Minh City).
🌍 Real Export Success Stories
Antalya, Turkey – Plum Exporter to EU
- Need: Store 150 tons of ‘Black Amber’ plums for 8-week sea freight
- Solution: 180 m² CA room (0°C, 92% RH, 4% O₂)
- Cost: $ 79,000 – Result: Achieved Grade A arrival quality; secured repeat orders from Germany
- Impact: Sold premium fruit 2 months post-harvest at 1.6× spot price
🔑 Why CA (Controlled Atmosphere) Pays Off
| Metric | Regular Cold Room | CA Cold Room |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Life | 20–25 days | 60–70 days |
| Firmness Retention | ↓ 40% in 3 weeks | ↑ >90% after 2 months |
| Market Window | Local only | Global export ready |
| ROI | Low (spoilage risk) | High (price arbitrage) |
Yes, CA costs ～30% more upfront—but it turns seasonal income into year-round revenue.
📩 Get Your Custom Plum Cold Storage Quote
Tell us:
✅ Annual plum volume (in tons)
✅ Target market (local, EU, GCC, ASEAN?)
✅ Country of installation
We’ll send you:
- Recommended cold room size (m² & tons)
- Turnkey cost in USD
- Expected storage life & quality retention
- Pre-cooling & CA system specs