Fruit export transport: how to control temperature
Each fruit needs a different temperature. The road leg from farm or packhouse to port, airport or border is where control matters most.
Why the first leg matters
Fresh fruit keeps respiring after harvest and releases heat. Too warm and it ripens fast and loses weight; too cold and many tropical fruits suffer chilling injury, such as dark peel or failure to ripen. The trip from farm or packhouse to port, airport or border often has the most handling and waiting.
Temperatures differ by fruit
- Fresh durian: about 13–15°C, 85–95% RH, avoid below 10°C (Cargo Handbook; University of Hawaiʻi CTAHR).
- Lychee: commonly carried cold, around 1–4°C with high humidity.
- Other tropical fruit such as mango is often chill-sensitive — don’t set lower than needed.
These are general guidelines. Always follow the buyer’s and exporter’s specification and confirm with the carrier before each job.
Road-leg temperature control
- Pre-cool the fruit before loading — reefers maintain temperature, they don’t pull down hot product quickly.
- Pre-cool the truck box to setpoint.
- Check and record fruit and box temperature before loading.
- Load fast, minimise door openings, keep airflow paths clear.
- Track in transit with GPS and a temperature logger.
- Hand over with the data for receiving checks.
Common mistakes
- Mixing fruits with different temperature needs
- Ethylene producers next to ethylene-sensitive fruit
- Setting too cold
- No plan for port or border queues
- Packaging too weak for high humidity
Export documents
Some markets, such as China, require registered orchards and packhouses and phytosanitary documents. These are the exporter’s responsibility; check current rules with Thailand’s Department of Agriculture or your customs broker. MP provides temperature-controlled road transport, not customs clearance.
How MP helps
We coordinate 4/6/10-wheel refrigerated trucks from farm, packhouse or cold store to your chosen point. Every truck has GPS and a temperature logger, and cargo insurance on every truck starts from 1,000,000 THB.
FAQ
What temperature for durian?
A common guideline for fresh whole durian is about 13–15°C and not below 10°C; follow your buyer’s specification.
Can different fruits share one truck?
Only if their temperature ranges and ethylene sensitivity are compatible. Share details and we will assess.
Request a quote
Send your job details through the quote form or our LINE Official Account. We reply during business hours, Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00.
Cold Chain Shipping Checklist
Related services and guides
Chilled Transport 0–8°C
For products that must stay fresh — the agreed temperature range is set for each job.
View details →Thai durian and fruit cold-chain transport guide
Reference temperatures and key steps for moving durian by road from farm or packhouse to port or border.
View details →What is a temperature logger, and why ask for a temperature report?
A logger shows whether cargo stayed in the agreed range for the whole trip — key evidence for receiving checks and claims.
View details →Cold-chain Transport Bangkok ⇄ Hat Yai
A lower-south route with operations in Hat Yai.
View details →