Storage Temperature: Recommended storage temperature is 0.5 °C – 2 °C.
High Humidity: Use an air cooler with a low temperature differential (ΔT) between inlet and outlet air.
Storage Duration: Recommended period is 5 – 10 days.
Controlled Atmosphere: Not recommended, as strawberries have a naturally short storage life.
Ozone: Installation of an ozone system is recommended to reduce microbial load.
Dynamic Pre-Cooling: A detailed study of temperature absorption time and air velocity is essential to ensure uniform cooling throughout the entire volume of the product.
IMPORTANT TIPS
Rapid pre-cooling below 2 °C and strict maintenance of the cold chain at all stages of distribution are essential.
Do not expose pre-cooled fruit to warm or humid environments — surface condensation (“sweating”) can cause rapid deterioration.
Maintain uniform temperature inside the cold storage chambers.
Keep CO₂ levels between 10 % and 15 % to help preserve fruit quality.
Ensure low air-speed cooling, as strawberries have delicate skin.
Monitor sugar content during harvest (7° – 10° Brix) using optical refractometers.
Disinfect cold-storage rooms before use.
Avoid foreign odors, as strawberries easily absorb external smells.
The use of edible coating sprays can significantly extend the product’s shelf life.
