Guide

Cold chain & transit times

Temperatures, atmosphere and voyage times for the four main Peruvian export fruits.

Peruvian fruit travels far: three weeks or more to Northern Europe, around two weeks to the US East Coast. Each fruit needs its own temperature, and getting it wrong in either direction costs shelf life.

Temperatures by product

ProductTypical carrying temperatureHumidityNotes
Hass avocado5 to 7 °C85 to 90%Controlled atmosphere around 5% O₂ and 5% CO₂ slows ripening on long voyages
BlueberriesAround 0 °C90 to 95%Fast pre cooling after harvest matters as much as the reefer setting
Table grapesAround 0 °C90 to 95%SO₂ pads control botrytis; US loads run cold treatment in transit
Kent mango10 to 13 °C90 to 95%Chilling injury below about 10 °C; hot water treated fruit is cooled after a rest period

These are typical ranges from FAO storage guidance and industry practice. The right setting for your program depends on maturity at harvest, voyage length and the buyer's ripening plan. We confirm it with the packing house for every booking.

Transit times

RouteTypical sea transit
Callao or Paita to Rotterdam and Northern Europe20 to 25 days
Paita or Callao to the US East Coast (Philadelphia, Wilmington)Varies by carrier
Callao to the US West CoastVaries by carrier

Ports

Northern fruit (mango, early grapes, blueberries from Lambayeque and La Libertad) usually leaves through Paita. Central and southern fruit goes through Callao, the new Chancay port north of Lima, or Pisco (Paracas) for Ica grapes Varies by carrier.

The one number to ask for

Ask your supplier for the pulp temperature of the fruit at loading, not the reefer setpoint. A container set at 0 °C loaded with fruit at 8 °C will arrive with problems.

Next step

Planning your next Peruvian program?

Tell us the product, calibers, destination port and weekly volume. You get availability and a price range within one business day.

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