Son La is currently the second largest fruit-growing area in the country and the largest in the North, with an area of over 84,000 hectares, renowned for its specialized fruit-growing regions: Moc Chau late-ripening plums (exceeding 12,000 hectares), Yen Chau round mangoes, Song Ma late-ripening longan, Thuan Chau passion fruit. The same high-quality temperate vegetable and fruit growing region is located in the Moc Chau and Van Ho plateaus. However, the unique harvesting season for plums and mangoes lasts only 3-4 short weeks, leading to immense consumption pressure, a massive ripening of fruit causing price drops and losses of up to 20% - 30% due to the lack of on-site cold storage facilities.
Tan Long Refrigeration and Electrical Engineering Joint Stock Company We are a reputable EPC general contractor specializing in design consulting and construction. Cold storage facilities for preserving fresh agricultural products, cold storage warehouses, and deep freezing tunnels in Son La.. With its precise climate-controlled refrigeration technology, Tan Long helps cooperatives and export businesses extend the harvest season for their products by 1 to 2 months, sell them at higher prices, and expand their access to official export channels.
1. The Pain of Post-Harvest Damage to Special Agricultural Products in Son La
- Moc Chau late plums: Plums ripen in May and June when the weather in Northern Vietnam enters a period of intense heat. After harvesting, if left at room temperature, the fruit will lose its natural white bloom, the skin will wrinkle, become soft and mushy, and ferment into a sour fruit after 48-72 hours.
- Yen Chau Mangoes & Song Ma Longan: Pre-cooling is required to quickly lower the core temperature of the fruit from 32°C to 12°C in 4 hours, then store it in a cool warehouse at a suitable temperature. +10°C to +12°C, with humidity of 85% – 90% To keep the green stems firm and prevent the development of anthracnose fungus.
- Moc Chau temperate vegetables: Cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and cherry tomatoes require cold storage to maintain temperature. +2°C to +4°C With gentle convection airflow, care should be taken to avoid damaging the young leaves before transporting them to supermarket chains in Hanoi.
2. Technical Specifications for Preservation of Agricultural Products in Son La
| Type of produce | Optimal temperature | Relative humidity (RH) | PIR Panel Enclosure Standards | Storage time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moc Chau plum | +1°C to +3°C | 90% – 95% (holds chalk) | 100mm PIR Panel | Keep the fruit firm and crisp for 30-45 days. |
| Yen Chau Mangoes & Song Ma Longan | +10°C to +12°C | 85% – 90% | PIR panel 75 – 100mm | 25-35 days for export |
| Moc Chau temperate vegetables | +2°C to +4°C | 90% – 95% | 75mm PIR Panel | 15-25 days fresh and green |
3. Standard B2B Equipment Configuration Recommended by Tan Long
- Bitzer (Germany) / Copeland (USA) compressor units: It operates smoothly and adapts well to the hilly terrain and rural power grid of Northwest Vietnam.
- Fire-resistant PIR panel enclosure B1/B2 according to QCVN 06:2022/BXD: Exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, preventing heat loss even with large day-night temperature differences in Moc Chau.
- T-Light 304 Stainless Steel Cold Storage Door: Manufactured exclusively by Tan Long, it offers absolute airtightness, prevents condensation, and has a durability of over 15 years.
- Automated SCADA IoT control cabinet: Remote temperature fluctuation alerts via phone, ensuring cargo safety 24/7.
4. Estimated Price List for Cold Storage in Son La (B2B)
| Capacity | Warehouse volume | Recommended computer configuration | B2B Technical Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperative produces 10-30 tons of plums/mangoes. | 60 – 180 m³ | Bitzer/Copeland compressor unit, 100mm PIR panel, T-Light stainless steel hinged door. | Detailed cost breakdown based on floor plan. |
| Wholesale businesses with a capacity of 50-150 tons | 300 – 900 m³ | Screw compressor unit, High-capacity evaporator, 100-125mm PIR panel, Sliding door | Prepare technical design documents and Bill of Quantities (BOQ). |
| Export processing center with a capacity of 300-1,000+ tons. | 1,800 – 6,000+ m³ | Mycom/Bitzer parallel compression station, -40°C deep freezing chamber, SCADA Cloud | Turnkey EPC general contractor |
👉 Field technical support: Tan Long engineers are present in Moc Chau, Yen Chau, Song Ma, and Son La City during 24-48 hours.
5. Proof of Tan Long's Practical Project Capabilities
- Automated warehouse general contractor NECS (102,642 pallets) and AJ Total (31,000 pallets).
- HVAC Partner Nutifood, Saigon Food, Vietnam Communist Party.
6. Standard 7-Step EPC Construction Process
- Field survey of factory foundations and power grid load in Son La.
- Thermodynamic calculations and 3D simulation of the convective air field in the warehouse.
- Prepare a transparent Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and commit to using genuine materials with CO/CQ certificates.
- Production of fire-resistant PIR panel enclosures and T-Light sliding doors at Tan Long factory.
- Transporting the equipment to Son La and directly installing the complete HVAC system at the factory.
- Nitrogen pressure testing, vacuuming, gas charging, and acceptance testing followed by a 72-hour chamber cooling test.
- Handover of operations, instruction on safety procedures, and warranty activation are available 24/7.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do plums sweat and rot after being removed from cold storage?
To avoid thermal shock, plums need to be passed through an anteroom to gradually raise the temperature to 15°C – 18°C before being exposed to outdoor temperatures. Tan Long always advises on designing technically sound anterooms to protect the product.
2. Is transporting supplies and equipment to the mountainous Moc Chau area in Son La complicated?
Tan Long has a dedicated transport fleet, and all panels are neatly packaged in Camlock modules, ensuring safe delivery to the construction site in Son La.
Consulting Services for Cold Storage of Agricultural Products in Moc Chau & Son La
Contact Tan Long Engineers today to receive modern cold storage solutions that enhance the value of agricultural products in the Son La highlands.
Cold Storage Construction Project in Adjacent Areas of the Northern Midlands and Mountains
A hub for tropical fruits (lychee, mango, plum), valuable medicinal herbs, and a bonded cold storage system serving import and export through major border crossings. Tan Long's team of engineers is ready to conduct on-site surveys and provide technical support within 24 hours.
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.
