Watermelon cartons, reefer temperature and container loading from Vietnam
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Short answer. Vietnamese watermelon ships in 12–13 kg cartons, about 1,600–1,800 per 40' reefer on 20 pallets, around 20–22 t. The set point is 10–15 °C at 85–90 % relative humidity, or about 7 °C on voyages longer than 7 days. Fruit keeps about 14 days at 15 °C and up to 21 days at 7–10 °C.
How is watermelon packed?
| Item | Figure (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Carton | 12–13 kg |
| Cartons per pallet | About 80–90 |
| Pallets per 40' reefer | 20, ISPM 15 wood |
| Cartons per 40' reefer | About 1,600–1,800, about 20–22 t |
Cartons are ventilated corrugated board with an English label: product, class, net weight, lot code, packing date and registered packing-house code. The exact count is confirmed with the packing house in the quotation.
Which reefer settings apply?
| Item | Setting |
|---|---|
| Optimum temperature | 10–15 °C |
| Voyages over 7 days | About 7 °C is often set, with a risk of chilling injury |
| Relative humidity | 85–90 % |
| Storage life | About 14 days at 15 °C; up to 21 days at 7–10 °C |
| Controlled atmosphere | No benefit |
How does the voyage fit the storage life?
By road, the China border is about 2–3 days from the packing house. By sea from Cat Lai, Jebel Ali is 13–18 days via transhipment. That is close to the 21-day limit at 7–10 °C, so fruit on a long route is sold soon after arrival. Whether a market accepts Vietnamese watermelon, and on which documents, is checked before the first shipment.
Can watermelon travel with other fruit?
Watermelon is very sensitive to ethylene. It is not loaded with fruit that produces ethylene.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a colder set point used on long voyages?
To stretch storage life from about 14 days towards 21 days. The trade-off is a risk of chilling injury.
Does controlled atmosphere help?
No. Watermelon shows no benefit from it.
How is the price quoted?
In the quotation only, for your carton and route.
Season and classes are in Vietnamese watermelon: season, types, classes and Brix. Full specifications are on the seedless watermelon page and the watermelon overview page; to order, use the watermelon quotation form.
Last reviewed 12 November 2026 by VIET FARM EXPORT COMPANY LIMITED, Ho Chi Minh City. Figures come from our watermelon specifications; they are indicative and confirmed with each quotation.