Citrus Cold Storage Room

Citrus fruits are grown between 20° and 40° N and S latitudes and native South East Asia. It is estimated that history of citrus fruits went back to 20 million years ago in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia.

Harvested citrus fruit should be carried to cold storage quickly after harvest and taken to pre-cooling process. Each of commercial citrus products has different storing values.

A relative humidity of 85 - 90% is required for citrus fruits for storage. While tangerine is stored at 3°C to 4°C for 3-4 months, orange is stored at 4°C to 6°C for 5-6 months, grapefruit at 8°C to 10°C for 5-7 months and lemon at 10°C to 12°C for 7-9 months in normal atmosphere storage.

Although Atmosphere Controlled systems are not as effective in citrus fruits as in fruits like apple and pear, they provide more than a month of extra storing duration.