Vietnamese papaya: classes, size codes, cartons and storage temperature
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Short answer. Vietnam exports red-flesh papaya from the Mekong Delta all year. It is graded to Codex CXS 183-1993 in three classes and ten size codes, from 200 g. Cartons are 10 kg net by sea and 4–5 kg by air, with each fruit in a foam net. Green fruit is held at 13 °C and keeps 2–4 weeks.
Which classes apply?
| Class | Skin defects | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Extra | Almost none | 5 % |
| Class I | Up to 10 % of the surface | 10 % |
| Class II | Up to 15 % of the surface | 10 % |
In every class the fruit is whole, sound and firm, the stalk is at most 1 cm long, and the flesh is not affected.
Which size codes are used?
| Code | Weight (g) |
|---|---|
| A | 200–300 |
| B | 301–400 |
| C | 401–500 |
| D | 501–600 |
| E | 601–700 |
| F | 701–800 |
| G | 801–1,100 |
| H | 1,101–1,500 |
| I | 1,501–2,000 |
| J | Over 2,001 |
The minimum weight is 200 g.
How sweet is it?
Usually about 10–13 °Brix when ripe. Codex sets no Brix value, so we measure sample fruit from each lot and send the reading with the packing photos.
How is papaya packed?
| Item | Sea | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Carton | 10 kg net | 4–5 kg |
| Protection | Each fruit in a foam net | Each fruit in a foam net |
| Cartons per pallet | About 80–90 | Not applicable |
| Load | About 1,600–1,800 cartons per 40' reefer on 20 pallets, about 16–18 t | From 100 cartons per shipment |
Pallets are ISPM 15 wood. The exact count is confirmed with the packing house in the quotation, and the forwarder confirms the chargeable weight for air.
Which storage temperature applies?
| Ripeness | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Green to ¼ yellow | 13 °C |
| ¼ to ½ yellow | 10 °C |
| More than ½ yellow | 7 °C |
Relative humidity is 90–95 %. Green fruit keeps 2–4 weeks at 13 °C, or 3–5 weeks in a controlled atmosphere of 3–5 % oxygen and 5–8 % carbon dioxide. In a reefer the set point is 10–13 °C, chosen by ripeness.
Why not ship colder?
Below 10 °C papaya suffers chilling injury: pitting, a hard core and water-soaked flesh. That is why only fruit that is more than half yellow is held at 7 °C.
Which route is used?
By air from Tan Son Nhat airport, Amsterdam and Moscow are each 1–2 days away. Sea routing is quoted on request. China and the USA are not yet open for Vietnamese papaya.
When is it available?
All year. Papaya is planted in spring (March–April) or autumn (September–October) and takes about 9 months to ripe fruit. It comes from the Mekong Delta: Can Tho, including the former Soc Trang and Hau Giang, where Ke Sach orchards yield 40–60 t/ha.
Frequently asked questions
Do you export yellow-flesh papaya?
It is not in our regular offer. We export red-flesh papaya.
What is the smallest air order?
100 cartons of 4–5 kg.
How is the price quoted?
In the quotation only, per carton, for your class, size code and route.
Full specifications are on the papaya page; to order, use the papaya quotation form. Settings for other fruit are in reefer temperatures for Vietnamese fruit.
Sources
Last reviewed 12 November 2026 by VIET FARM EXPORT COMPANY LIMITED, Ho Chi Minh City. Figures come from our papaya specification; they are indicative and confirmed with each quotation.