IQF or blast freezing for shrimp?

IQF suits high-volume continuous production of small, separable pieces; batch blast freezing suits variable batch sizes and larger product. The decision follows throughput profile, product mix and available capital.

What frozen temperature do export buyers usually require?

Frequently −18 °C or colder, with many export contracts specifying −20 °C to −25 °C. The buyer contract governs.

How much freezing capacity do I need?

It follows from peak daily tonnage, entering temperature, target core temperature and the freezing time you require. Model it before sizing storage.

Seafood & shellfish

Seafood and shellfish cold storage temperature requirements

Seafood facilities usually combine several temperature classes on one site — chilled receiving, IQF or blast freezing, frozen storage and a dispatch buffer. The procurement challenge is dimensioning each stage so that the freezing duty, not the storage volume, sets the plant size.

Condition	Indicative temperature	Humidity	Engineering note
Live / chilled holding	0 to +4 °C	90–95 % RH	Live shellfish handling has species-specific requirements.
Chilled processing	+2 to +6 °C	85–90 % RH	High internal gains from equipment and personnel.
IQF freezing	−35 to −40 °C air	n/a	Individually quick frozen shrimp and small species.
Frozen storage	−18 to −25 °C	90–95 % RH	Export contracts frequently specify the colder end.

Values are indicative planning ranges used for early-stage refrigeration sizing and procurement. They do not replace product-specific food-safety, pharmaceutical, regulatory or customer requirements, which take precedence in every case. Confirm final conditions with your quality function and a qualified refrigeration engineer.

Refrigeration engineering considerations

IQF vs. blast batch

IQF tunnels and spiral freezers are continuous-flow machines sized on kg/hour; batch blast rooms are sized on tonnes per cycle. The choice changes the plant, the layout and the CAPEX profile.

Glazing and dehydration

Where glazing is used, the associated water handling, drainage and refrigeration load must be included in the design brief.

Hygienic design

Washdown-rated panels, floors, drainage and coil materials affect both capital cost and refrigeration selection.

Peak season load

Seasonal landings mean the plant must handle a peak that may be several times the annual average. Design to the peak, control to the average.

From temperature to system requirement

1. Confirm the storage condition for your product and market.
2. Size the room — cold room size calculator.
3. Calculate the refrigeration duty — refrigeration load calculator.
4. Check operating cost — electricity cost calculator.
5. Send one brief to vetted suppliers — build an RFQ.

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A senior cold-chain specialist stays with your project from first brief to commissioning.

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Frequently asked

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One brief, comparable quotes from vetted cold storage suppliers and EPCs.

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