The plight of the apple industry
Imagine this: your orchard has yielded a bumper harvest—crisp, sweet, and juicy apples ready for market. But within weeks, 30% of them spoil due to improper storage. Even worse, by the time they reach supermarkets, they’ve turned soft and bland, forcing retailers to slash prices by 40% just to sell them.
This is the harsh reality for apple suppliers worldwide. The industry faces three major pain points:
- Seasonal Overproduction – Apple harvests are highly concentrated globally, but consumer demand remains steady year-round.
- Post-Harvest Softening & Losses – Even with refrigeration, apples gradually soften and lose freshness during transport.
- Short Shelf Life in Retail – Supermarkets struggle to maintain apple crispness, leading to high waste rates and customer complaints.
Why do apples need controlled atmosphere (CA) technology?
Apple is a typical fruit with respiratory climacteric. Although traditional refrigeration can delay spoilage, it cannot solve the following key problems:
- In a low-temperature environment, apples still maintain vigorous respiration, consuming O2 and releasing CO2
- In a low-temperature environment, if the ethylene concentration exceeds the standard, the apple will start the ripening process
Controlled atmosphere technology is the key to breaking the deadlock. Controlled atmosphere storage can accurately control the storage environment through four core devices to keep apples fresh.
- O2 Scrubber: Rapidly reduce the oxygen concentration in the warehouse through molecular sieve or membrane separation technology. It is 5-7 days faster than traditional natural oxygen reduction, significantly reducing the initial respiratory loss.
- CO2 Scrubber: Use activated carbon adsorption or alkaline solution washing to remove excess CO2. Maintain CO2 concentration within the ideal range to avoid CO2 poisoning.
- Ultrasonic Humidifier: Achieve rapid and uniform humidification and stabilize humidity.
- Refrigeration units: Achieve precise temperature control and maintain constant temperature.
| Temperature/°C | Relative humidity | O2 | CO2 | Storage life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.5~1 | 90%~95% | 1%~4% | 2%~4% | 8~12 months |
CA solutions for different roles
- Small modular CA warehouses can be configured at large planting ends. Storage for 3-6 months can be achieved to achieve staggered sales and solve the problem of centralized listing and quality control.
- CA containers can be configured at the circulation end. Reduce losses during sea or land transportation and break through the bottleneck of long-distance transportation.
- Controlled atmosphere storage can be configured at large retail ends. Extend the shelf life of apples, and at the same time, cooperate with the exclusive label of “controlled atmosphere preservation” to create a high-end brand premium.
- CA storage room can be configured at the processing end. Professional configuration can ensure a stable supply of raw materials. At the same time, ensure that the apples retain high sugar content during processing.
Your apple business deserves improvement
It’s time to inject new fresh-keeping technology into your apple industry! Take action now and you will get:
✓ Apple’s shelf life is extended by 3-5 times
✓ Product loss rate is reduced
✓ Off-season sales premium
✓ Brand value and market competitiveness are significantly improved
Contact us, our technical consultant will provide you with professional answers within 24 hours. Seize the opportunity of industrial upgrading and let your apple business break through the fresh-keeping bottleneck.