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Blackberries

Recommended

Conventional cooling

Dynamic Cooling

Pre-cooling

De-greening

Ripening

General Tips for Blackberries

Storage temperatureRelative Humidity (RH)DurationPre-coolingSensitivity to ethyleneEthylene ProductionControlled Atmosphere
Storage temperature: ~ 0 °C (or as required by variety)
Relative Humidity (RH): 90%-95%
Duration: Short-term (specific time depends on variety and pre-cooling)
Pre-cooling: Rapid forced-air or tailored cooling system
Sensitivity to ethylene: Moderate to High
Ethylene Production: Low to Moderate
Controlled Atmosphere: Not clearly defined; use standard cold-storage with attention to ventilation and gas control

Maintain very high humidity (90 %–95%) and uniform low temperature for maximal storage quality.

Minimize air–product temperature differential (ΔT) using forced-air systems to ensure core cooling of the product mass.

Ensure uniform air circulation and avoid accumulation of condensate or moisture pockets within the storage chamber.

Use ozone equipment or proper disinfection of cold rooms to control microbial load and surface spoilage.

Regularly monitor product colour, firmness and external surface condition — blackberries do not improve post-harvest and must be harvested fully ripe.

IMPORTANT TIPS
  • Harvest only fully ripe berries — quality will not improve after harvest.
  • Ensure proper drying and surface handling immediately after harvest to prevent microbial growth.
  • Maintain a consistent cold chain from harvest through to distribution; avoid temperature fluctuations and delays.
  • Monitor external odours and ensure storage atmosphere is clean — blackberries are sensitive to off-smells.
  • Consider rapid pre-cooling to remove field heat as soon as possible after harvest.