Construction and installation of reputable and quality potato cold storage

How to store potatoes after harvest so they do not sprout, rot or lose weight is a major challenge for produce businesses today. Investing in a dedicated potato cold storage with precise temperature control between 4–10°C and an ideal humidity above 90% is the golden key to extending storage life to as much as 10 months while retaining the full nutritional value. With more than 20 years building and installing industrial cold stores nationwide, Tân Long is committed to delivering the best technical solution, helping owners control their own supply and raise the economic value of their produce.

What is cold storage for potatoes?

Put simply, a potato cold storage is an industrial cold store designed specifically to hold produce in an artificial state of “dormancy”. It is not simply about refrigeration but a sophisticated combination of temperature control (normally 4°C – 10°C), humidity (>90%) and CO2 concentration to suppress sprouting.

At Tan Long, we focus on providing solutions. cold storage design optimised, with intelligent controls integrated. That supports the owner in carrying out cold storage operation procedures methodically at every stage: from the curing step for the tubers as soon as they come into store, through gradual cooling and on to stable maintenance over many months. Following this technical procedure correctly is what allows a produce business to preserve the maximum weight and quality of its crop.

Why do you need a potato cold store?

Potatoes respire strongly and are extremely sensitive to environmental conditions after harvest. Stored at ambient temperature alone, they quickly lose moisture, rot or sprout within a short time. Investing in a standard potato cold storage is therefore vital for produce businesses, for the following reasons:

• Completely preventing sprouting: In natural conditions potatoes sprout readily, producing solanine, a toxin harmful to health. Stored in a potato cold storage at the optimum temperature range (2°C – 10°C), the tuber's metabolism is suppressed, effectively preventing sprouting for 6–10 months.
• Maintaining weight and freshness: Thanks to the very high humidity control (90 – 95%) of the industrial refrigerationsystem, potatoes avoid losing moisture through their skins. Tubers leaving the store are still plump, not wrinkled, with no significant weight loss.
• Controlling the starch content: For potatoes used in processing (crisps, fries), holding a stable temperature in the cold store prevents starch converting to sugar. This is the key technical factor that professional cold storage design specialists such as Tân Long always focus on, to ensure the colour and flavour of the product after frying.
• Reducing losses to fungal disease: The ventilation system in a cold storage for agricultural products removes the CO2 and heat generated by the potatoes' respiration, preventing the bacteria and moulds that cause wholesale rot.
• Increasing sustainable economic value: Controlling the storage period lets a business owner hold large quantities in season and sell when supply is short at a higher price, maximising the profit margin.

Applying the correct storage technique in a potato cold storage not only raises the quality of Vietnamese produce but fully meets the demanding standards for getting products into major supermarket chains or exporting internationally.

Technical standards in a potato cold store

For the best storage results, a potato cold storage must be more than simply refrigeration; it must be a precise environmental control system. At Tân Long, we apply the most demanding technical standards in design and cold storage construction to ensure the produce maintains its quality inside and out.

Ideal storage temperature

Temperature is the decisive factor in how long the tuber stays dormant. Depending on the intended use, the temperature in a potato cold storage is set differently:

• Seed potatoes: Maintain at 2°C – 4°C. This is the “golden” range for completely suppressing sprouting and minimising fungal disease.
• Table potatoes (for eating): Maintain word 7°C – 10°C. This temperature best preserves the sweetness and the texture of the flesh.
• Potatoes for industrial processing (crisps, fries): Normally held at 8°C – 12°C to limit the build-up of reducing sugars (so the potatoes do not darken when fried).

To hold that range steadily, Tân Long favours refrigeration compressor packs in high-efficiency screw or piston formats, so the plant runs reliably 24/7 while saving electricity.

Humidity and air circulation

A common mistake in produce storage is focusing on temperature and forgetting humidity. In a potato cold storage, relative humidity must always be between 90% – 95%.

• If humidity is low (<85%): the potatoes lose moisture, the skins wrinkle and they lose significant weight.
• If humidity is too high (>98%): water condenses readily on the surface of the tubers, creating conditions for wet rot bacteria.

Air circulation also plays a role in carrying away the heat generated by the potatoes' respiration. The industrial refrigeration system is positioned so the cold airflow works its way evenly through every gap between the crates, avoiding local “hot spots” in the store.

Controlling CO2 levels

Potatoes are living things: they respire and give off CO2 even in a cold store. If the CO2 concentration exceeds the permitted level (normally >1%), the potatoes develop “black heart” — the flesh inside rots and blackens even while the outside still looks fine.

In the projects potato cold storage at large scale, Tân Long incorporates intelligent sensors and a PLC control cabinet. The system measures the gas concentration automatically and activates fresh air ventilation when needed, keeping the store environment clean and safe for the produce.

The detailed construction of a potato cold store

To ensure effective long-term storage and reduce losses, a standard potato cold storage at Tân Long is built from a matched combination of high-technology equipment. Every component plays a key role in controlling the growth and dormancy of the tubers.

The main components of the system are:

• Insulated warehouse shell: Assembled from panels Insulated panel (normally high-density PU or EPS panel). The envelope's job is to prevent heat loss to the outside completely, so the temperature inside the potato cold storage stays as stable as possible.
• Dedicated refrigeration system: Comprising an imported refrigeration compressor pack (from brands such as Bitzer and Emerson) and high-airflow evaporators. This holds the optimum range of 2°C to 10°C, cooling rapidly and evenly throughout the store.
• Intelligent humidification: Potatoes readily lose weight and their skins shrivel if the environment is too dry. A misting system or automatic humidifier is therefore essential to hold the ideal 90% – 95% humidity inside the potato cold storage.
• CO2 handling and ventilation: During storage, potatoes go on respiring and giving off CO2. The ventilation fans and sensors automatically extract the CO2 and supply fresh O2, preventing “black heart” and rot.
• Automatic control system: Use PLC control cabinet with a touchscreen. This lets the owner monitor and adjust the temperature, humidity and operating cycles precisely and easily — even from a smartphone.
• Sprout suppressant application system: What distinguishes a potato cold storage from an ordinary cold store is an integrated fine-mist sprout suppressant system, keeping potatoes in deep dormancy over a long period.
• Specialized cold storage doors: Using the T-Light insulated cold storage door or a sliding door with tight rubber gaskets, completely preventing hot, humid air entering each time goods move in or out.

The Tân Long standard potato cold store construction and installation process

At Tân Long, we understand that a potato cold storage runs effectively not only because of good equipment but because of an accurate installation process. With more than 20 years of experience, Tân Long applies a rigorous 5-step construction process, ensuring the system achieves the highest performance and the greatest energy saving for the owner.

• Step 1: survey and prepare the site: Before starting, our engineers survey the site and establish the specific storage requirement (table or seed potatoes). From that, Tân Long produces detailed cold store design drawings, calculates the compressor capacity and lays out the particular convection airflow so the cold air works its way evenly through every crate of produce, avoiding hot spots.
• Step 2: install the insulated envelope: The PU/EPS insulated panels are assembled. The joints are sealed with purpose-made silicone to ensure the store is completely tight.
• Step 3: install the envelope and the technical systems: The envelope is built meticulously, with the panel joints sealed using camlocks and purpose-made silicone for a complete seal. In parallel, the copper pipework, evaporators and ventilation are installed to the technical drawings. For a potato cold storagein particular, we focus on installing the humidification misting system and the extract fans, to control the biochemical environment around the tubers.
• Step 4: inspection, calibration and commissioning: This is the most important stage in building a potato cold store. The technicians evacuate the system, charge the refrigerant and run it for 24–48 hours. We set up and test the operating scenarios: from the curing stage through gradual cooling to stable storage.
• Step 5: handover and safe operating instructions: Once the inspection is passed, Tân Long hands over the system with the technical documentation and detailed instructions on operating the cold storage for the client's staff. We also set up a scheduled maintenance programme so the system runs reliably, giving the customer complete confidence in the quality of their produce.

Mastering cold storage operation procedures right from handover gives the owner control over monitoring the readings, spotting anything unusual early and carrying out routine maintenance, so the produce is always stored in the best possible conditions.

The latest 2026 potato cold store installation pricing

Investment costs potato cold storage is always an important question for business owners and produce buyers. In practice there is no fixed figure for every project, because the price depends on the storage capacity (tonnes), the equipment used and the particular climate control requirements of each project.

At Tân Long, we always optimise the installation cost by balancing equipment durability against energy efficiency. The main factors making up the price of a potato cold storage:

• Storage capacity: A store holding 10 tonnes, 50 tonnes or thousands of tonnes has a different unit price per cubic metre. The larger the store, the better the unit cost per tonne of product.
• Compressor pack quality: Choosing a refrigeration compressor pack imported from Germany, France or Japan accounts for 40–50% of the total investment but guarantees long-term reliability.
• Intelligent control system: A system incorporating a PLC control cabinet monitoring CO2 and humidity automatically costs more than a basic mechanical panel, but brings potato losses down to their lowest (<3%).
• Insulated warehouse shell: Use the sheet Insulated panel high-density PU, to prevent heat loss completely.

Indicative price list (estimate):

Note: the prices above are indicative at the present time. For the best cold storage design solution and a detailed quotation based on your actual site, please call the hotline: (+84) 933357058.

Choosing a reputable potato cold storage contractor such as Tân Long not only gets you a competitive price but guarantees the quality of your produce — the business's greatest asset through the season.

Important technical points when operating a potato cold store

Operating a potato cold storage requires a deep understanding of the physiology of the produce to maintain optimum quality over a long period. From the practical experience of Tân Long's engineers, controlling the environment is not just about holding a low temperature but about a staged cooling process that avoids “thermal shock” and damage to the tuber structure. cold storage design, the air circulation parameters and the capacity of the refrigeration compressor pack must be calculated accurately to meet the following demanding technical standards:

• Staged acclimatisation cooling: Initially, the temperature in the potato cold storage is brought down gradually to 18°C and held for 10 to 14 days, to dry the skins and heal the scrapes from harvesting.
• Deep cooling stage: After acclimatisation, the temperature is reduced by around 2°C a day (over 7 to 10 days) until it reaches the target storage range of 2°C to 4°C.
• Maintaining dormancy: Hold the store steadily at 2°C – 4°C for seed potatoes, to suppress sprouting and bring respiration to a minimum.
• Humidity control: Relative humidity in the potato cold storage must always be between 90% and 95%, to prevent moisture loss so the tubers stay fresh and their skins do not shrivel.

Beyond temperature and humidity, packing technique and how the goods are arranged are extremely important to the success of a produce cold storage project. Because potatoes are living things still exchanging gases, creating “breathing gaps” to release CO2 and internal heat is essential. To optimise the space and ensure technical safety, anyone operating a potato cold storage should note the following:

• Ventilated packing: Pack seed potatoes in open-weave sacks, mesh bags or purpose-made plastic crates rather than sealed bags, to give each mass of produce natural ventilation.
• Arrange goods in an organized manner: Loads of potatoes must be stacked on racking or pallets, at the standard clearance from the floor and walls so the airflow from the industrial refrigeration can work its way evenly through the store.
• Managing heat loss: Limit how long and how often the cold storage door is open, to maintain clean air and stable humidity and to protect the potatoes from anything entering from outside.

Why choose Tân Long to build your produce cold store?

Choosing a reputable contractor for a potato cold storage project is a key decision, directly affecting the business's economics and the quality of its produce over the long term. With more than 20 years in refrigeration engineering, Tân Long is proud to be a leading strategic partner in Vietnam, specialising in in-depth cold storage design solutions for produce. We do not simply install equipment; we deliver an intelligent climate control process that optimises the post-harvest value chain, with a cold storage that runs reliably at the highest performance.

Here are the core reasons hundreds of businesses trust Tân Long as their contractor for potato cold storage:

• Outstanding technical capability: Tân Long's engineers have mastered staged cooling, controlling the tubers' dormancy well and minimising losses and sprouting.
• Genuine imported equipment: We favour refrigeration compressor packs from world-renowned brands such as Bitzer, Emerson and Mycom, combined with high-efficiency evaporators that save up to 30% of the electricity cost.
• Intelligent management technology: The system incorporates a modern PLC control cabinet , allowing CO2 concentration, humidity and temperature to be monitored remotely by smartphone, keeping the produce completely safe 24/7.
• Standard insulation materials: High-density PU/EPS panel with tight camlock fastenings, thoroughly preventing heat loss and protecting the structure of the potato cold storage from harsh environmental conditions.
• Attentive maintenance service: Tân Long is committed to supporting customers with a long-term warranty and a scheduled maintenance programme, so the system runs reliably through the peak seasons.

With a modern manufacturing plant and construction processes meeting international standards, Tân Long is confident of meeting any scale of potato cold storage project, from a small business to a large produce export transit store. We are committed to the best technical and commercial solution, so you can concentrate on raising the commercial value of your product.

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Review & Expert Advice

Engineer Nguyen Toan Thinh (Technical Director)

With over 18 years of practical experience in directing, consulting, designing, and constructing heavy industrial refrigeration systems, ASRS automated warehouses, and IQF freezing systems across more than 29 major national projects.

👉 View expert's profile | 📞 Technical support hotline: 0933 357 058