Pre-cooling and packhouse cold chain for organic produce
Free for buyers. Your request goes to the ColdMatch team, who review it and contact suitable suppliers on your behalf. ColdMatch does not manufacture equipment or guarantee compliance.
What the package includes
- Forced-air pre-cooler
Pre-cooling of packed, vented pallets
- Modular chilled cold room
Chilled holding after pre-cooling
- Temperature monitoring and alarm system
Records per lot and room
How the parts depend on each other
- Water and sanitisers in hydrocooling must be permitted for organic handling under your standard.
- Pre-cooler capacity follows the harvest peak; the cold room must accept that daily output.
Standards and specification basis
- Organic handling and permitted-substance rules for water and sanitisers in your market.
- Food-safety rules for water that contacts produce.
Best fit for buyers who
- You pack organic berries, cherries, leafy greens or vegetables.
- Harvest peaks need fast cooling before produce loses quality.
Commercial benefits
- Protects quality and shelf life of high-value organic produce.
- Keeps organic and conventional lots apart during the busiest hours of the day.
Risks to manage
- Recirculated hydrocooling water can spread contamination if not managed.
- Mixed organic and conventional pallets in one pre-cooling cycle.
Limitations
- Pre-cooling does not replace good harvest timing and handling.
- Some produce or packaging is unsuitable for vacuum or water cooling.
Documents to request
- Pre-cooling cycle records per lot.
- Water treatment method and substances used, for your certifier.
- Pallet and carton format the system is sized for.
Regulatory notes
- Confirm water-treatment substances against your organic standard.
- Check export phytosanitary and cold-chain requirements of your destination markets.
Price ranges
No price range is published for this package: costs depend on capacity, site and country, and ColdMatch has no researched, dated range to show. Planning ranges for whole cold stores are on the cost benchmarks page; real prices come only from suppliers’ written offers.
Compared with: Pre-cooling for conventional produce
| Aspect | This package | Pre-cooling for conventional produce |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Same types | Same types |
| Water treatment | Only permitted substances | Wider choice |
| Scheduling | Organic lots kept separate per cycle | Mixed cycles possible |
Sources and further reading
Links checked on . They explain rules and practice; they do not confirm that any specific offer complies. Requirements differ by country — check with your own advisers.
- National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances — USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Which substances may be used in US organic production and handling — check gases, sanitisers and treatments against it with your certifier.
- Organic production and labelling — EU legislation (Regulation (EU) 2018/848) — European Commission
EU rules for organic production, labelling, certification and controls, including collection, transport and storage of organic products.
- Postharvest Research and Extension Center — University of California, Davis
Produce fact sheets and handling guidance, including recommended cooling and storage conditions by crop.
- Post-harvest handling and storage (New England Small Fruit Management Guide) — University of Massachusetts Amherst
Extension guidance on cooling and storing berries soon after harvest.