CITRUS PRODUCTION | SOUTH AFRICA


Commercial Storing of Grapefruit
Optimum Storage Temperature
16ºC to 8.5ºC
The Storage and transport of grapefruit varies between 16ºC and 8.5ºC.The Standard procedure is however to constantly maintain the DAT at 7.0ºC to ensure an average pulp temperature of 8.5ºC. The following criteria is used to decide on the transport temperature:Early season fruit still requiring external skin colouring- Store and ship at 16ºC.
Optimum storage temperature of well coloured fruit-store and ship at 10ºC.When mixed with other citrus types-store and ship at 8.5ºC.Cold treatment to control quarantine pests- store and ship colder than 0.0ºC.

Commercial Storing of Kumquats
Optimum Storage Temperature
4.5ºC to 11ºC
Kumquats are closely related to plants of th citrus genus. Commercial Kumquats are usually hybrids between species of the Kumquat genus and species of the citrus genus.

Commercial Storing of Lemons
Optimum Storage Temperature
7.0ºC to 10.0ºC
Optimum Storage RH 95%
The storage and transport temperature of lemons vary between 10ºC and 7.0ºC. The warmer temperature of 10ºC is used at th beginning of the season to enhance colour development. The optimum shipping temperature is 7.0ºC.Lemons to destination requiring in transit cold treatment must be precooled and shipped below 0.0ºC depending on the requirements of the importing country.

Commercial Storing of Limes
Optimum Storage Temperature
11.0ºC
Optimum Storage RH 95%.

Commercial Storing of Oranges
Optimum storage temperature 4.5ºC
Optimum storage RH 95%
Oranges store best at a pulp temperature of 4.5ºC.Early season oranges can be stored and Transported at 11ºC to promote external coloured development.It is however recommended that a DAT of 10ºC be considered especially for oranges packed in telescopic cartons to ensure pulp temperature closer to 11ºC.Prompt cooling soon after harvest should be applied and optimum pulp temperature should be reached within 6 days from harvest. This especially applies to the more sensitive Washington Naval cultivar
As with Lemons and grapefruit, oranges can be held successfully at minus 0.5ºC for 14 days to comply with cold treatment requirements.

Commercial storing of Soft Citrus
Optimum storage Temperature 3.5ºC
Optimum storage RH 95%
Soft citrus ,easy peelers or mandarins are common names for this group of citrus cultivars. Fruit of these cultivars. Fruit of these cultivars are normally softer than the standard citrus fruit and have a loose skin that can easily be removed giving rise to these names.
Some of the commercial cultivars that are exported are exported are clementines, Ellendales, Minneolas, Satsumas, Shamoutis, Tambors and Tangerines.Fruit of these cultivars are very delicate in texture and flavour and are more temperature sensitive than the traditional oranges. Cooling to 3.5ºC as soon as possible after harvest and maintainance of the cold chain throughout is very important to maintain quality. Soft Citrus are sometimes kept at 11.0ºC for relatively short periods to stimulate colour development should it be required.