Last updated: 2026-07-10
The most critical factor in the shelf life of fresh produce begins in the first hours after harvest: the cold chain. Rapidly bringing produce down from field temperature to its target storage temperature — and holding it there until delivery — is the only real guarantee of freshness.
Why pre-cooling matters
Freshly harvested produce loses quality quickly through respiration while its core is still warm. Pre-cooling slows this process, extending shelf life markedly in delicate products like strawberries. Target temperatures differ by product group: leafy and delicate items travel at 0-4°C, citrus at 4-8°C, and cold-sensitive produce (banana-type, cucurbits) at 10-14°C.
The links of the chain in shipment
- Palletizing: stacking on 80×120 cm EUR or 100×120 cm ISO pallets in patterns that preserve airflow; corner boards and strapping.
- Refrigerated trucks / reefer containers: refrigerated trucks by road (~33 euro pallets) and 40' reefer containers by sea (20-24 pallets by product) hold the temperature steady.
- Temperature logging: data loggers added to the load on request record temperature throughout the journey and are reported at delivery.
- Mode selection: the transport mode is never fixed; road, sea, air, or combined transport are planned by destination, shelf life, and deadline.
See our logistics page for the operational details of our cold chain approach, and our season calendar for planning.