Mature coconut by sea: reefer or ventilated container, and at what temperature?
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Short answer. Mature coconut has very low respiration and travels well by sea. Semi-husked cartons go in a reefer at 0–2 °C and 75–85 % relative humidity, and keep up to 60 days. Dehusked coconut in bags can travel in a ventilated container on routes under about 10 days; on 20–30-day routes a reefer limits sprouting and mould.
Which storage temperatures apply?
| Condition | Temperature | Humidity | Keeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husked, long storage | 0–1.5 °C | RH 75–85 % | Up to 60 days |
| Husked, short storage | 13–16 °C | RH 80–85 % | Up to 2 weeks |
A whole mature coconut, still in its husk, keeps 3–5 months. No chilling injury was seen after 6 weeks at 5 °C. Husked nuts lose water quickly, so they are wrapped or waxed.
Reefer or ventilated container?
| Cargo | Route | Container | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-husked, 9–12 kg cartons | Sea | 40' reefer | 0–2 °C, RH 75–85 %; 13–16 °C on short routes |
| Dehusked, 22–30 kg bags | Under about 10 days | Dry or ventilated | Ambient, well ventilated |
| Dehusked, 22–30 kg bags | 20–30 days | Reefer | 0–2 °C or 13–16 °C, RH 75–85 % |
The container type is confirmed per route in the quotation.
How long is the sea transit?
From Cat Lai port in Ho Chi Minh City, indicative transit times are:
| Destination | Days at sea |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 2–3 |
| Port Klang, Malaysia | 3–5 |
| Laem Chabang, Thailand | 3–5 |
| Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 3–5 |
| Busan, South Korea | About 8 |
| Jebel Ali, UAE | 13–18 |
| Valencia, Spain | About 30 |
How much fits in a 40' container?
| Item | Semi-husked cartons | Dehusked bags |
|---|---|---|
| Unit | 9–12 kg carton | 22–30 kg mesh bag |
| Per pallet | About 60–70 cartons | Normally loose-stuffed; if palletised, about 40–45 bags of 25 kg |
| Per 40' | About 1,200–1,400 cartons of 12 kg on 20 pallets (≈ 14–17 t net, indicative) | About 800–1,000 bags loose-stuffed, 22–24 t, roughly 12,000–14,000 nuts |
Pallets are ISPM 15 wood. Exact counts are confirmed with the packing house in the quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Does mature coconut need a reefer?
Semi-husked cartons travel in a reefer at 0–2 °C. Dehusked bags do not need one on routes under about 10 days, where a ventilated container is used.
How long does a husked coconut keep?
Up to 60 days at 0–1.5 °C, or up to 2 weeks at 13–16 °C.
Why are husked nuts wrapped?
They lose water quickly once the husk is off, so semi-husked nuts are film-wrapped.
How is the price quoted?
In the quotation only: per carton for semi-husked coconut, per tonne or per bag for dehusked coconut.
The two forms are compared in semi-husked or dehusked mature coconut. Full specifications are on the mature coconut page and the pages for semi-husked coconut and dehusked coconut in bulk bags. To order, use the mature coconut quotation form.
Last reviewed 12 November 2026 by VIET FARM EXPORT COMPANY LIMITED, Ho Chi Minh City. Figures come from our mature coconut specifications; they are indicative and confirmed with each quotation.