Reefer Cargo Container Temperature Guide
Recommended carriage temperatures for 69 common commodities shipped in refrigerated (reefer) containers — search, filter by category, and switch between °C and °F. Everything runs in your browser.
Reefer Container Operating Notes
These are general industry reference ranges for guidance only — optimal carriage conditions can vary by variety, ripeness stage and voyage length. Always confirm the exact set-point, humidity and ventilation settings with the commodity's own specification sheet, your carrier, or a reefer logistics specialist before shipping. Need container dimensions or stuffing plans? See the Container Standards Library or the 3D Container Stuffing Calculator.
How reefer containers keep cargo in range
A reefer is an insulated container with its own refrigeration unit, powered from the ship, the terminal or a diesel generator (genset) on the road. It circulates cold air from the floor up through the cargo and back to the unit, so the way cargo is stowed matters as much as the setpoint.
- Setpoint. The temperature the unit holds, set in °C or °F. Chilled cargo is usually carried just above freezing; frozen cargo is usually carried at −18 °C or colder.
- Ventilation. Fresh fruit and vegetables keep respiring and give off gases such as ethylene and CO₂; the fresh-air vent setting removes them. Frozen cargo is shipped with vents closed.
- Humidity. Some units can control humidity, which helps prevent produce from drying out or getting mouldy.
- Controlled atmosphere (CA). Specialised units lower oxygen and raise CO₂ to slow ripening, extending the shelf life of produce such as bananas and avocados on long voyages.
Carriage temperatures for 69 commodities
| Commodity | Category | Range (°C) | Range (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Apricots | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Avocado | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Banana | Fruit & vegetables | 13 to 18 °C | 55 to 64 °F |
| Beets | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Cabbage | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Cucumber | Fruit & vegetables | 6 to 9 °C | 43 to 48 °F |
| Eggplant | Fruit & vegetables | 4 to 10 °C | 39 to 50 °F |
| Garlic | Fruit & vegetables | 3 to 3 °C | 37 to 37 °F |
| Grapefruit | Fruit & vegetables | 11 to 14 °C | 52 to 57 °F |
| Grapes | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Green Beans | Fruit & vegetables | 4 to 10 °C | 39 to 50 °F |
| Kiwi | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 2 °C | 36 to 36 °F |
| Lemons | Fruit & vegetables | 11 to 14 °C | 52 to 57 °F |
| Mango | Fruit & vegetables | 10 to 13 °C | 50 to 55 °F |
| Melons | Fruit & vegetables | 4 to 8 °C | 39 to 46 °F |
| Mushrooms | Fruit & vegetables | 0 to 2 °C | 32 to 36 °F |
| Nectarines | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Onion | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Oranges | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 8 °C | 36 to 46 °F |
| Peaches | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Pears | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Peppers | Fruit & vegetables | 4 to 10 °C | 39 to 50 °F |
| Pineapples | Fruit & vegetables | 6 to 10 °C | 43 to 50 °F |
| Plums | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Potato | Fruit & vegetables | 6 to 10 °C | 43 to 50 °F |
| Pumpkins | Fruit & vegetables | 10 to 13 °C | 50 to 55 °F |
| Raspberry | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Salad / Lettuce | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Strawberry | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 5 °C | 36 to 41 °F |
| Tangerines | Fruit & vegetables | 2 to 8 °C | 36 to 46 °F |
| Tomato (Red) | Fruit & vegetables | 6 to 9 °C | 43 to 48 °F |
| Zucchini | Fruit & vegetables | 4 to 10 °C | 39 to 50 °F |
| Butter | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Canned Fish | Meat, fish & dairy | 1 to 10 °C | 34 to 50 °F |
| Canned Goods (Non-Fish) | Meat, fish & dairy | 15 to 20 °C | 59 to 68 °F |
| Cheese | Meat, fish & dairy | 2 to 7 °C | 36 to 45 °F |
| Eggs | Meat, fish & dairy | 1 to 8 °C | 34 to 46 °F |
| Fish Preserves | Meat, fish & dairy | -5 to 0 °C | 23 to 32 °F |
| Fresh Chilled Beef & Pork | Meat, fish & dairy | 1 to 2 °C | 34 to 36 °F |
| Fresh Chilled Chicken & Fowl | Meat, fish & dairy | 1 to 2 °C | 34 to 36 °F |
| Fresh Chilled Fish | Meat, fish & dairy | 1 to 2 °C | 34 to 36 °F |
| Iced Fish | Meat, fish & dairy | -1 to 0 °C | 30 to 32 °F |
| Margarine & Vegetable Fats | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Mayonnaise | Meat, fish & dairy | 3 to 18 °C | 37 to 64 °F |
| Milk | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Mince | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 4 °C | 32 to 39 °F |
| Salted Fish | Meat, fish & dairy | -5 to 0 °C | 23 to 32 °F |
| Sausages | Meat, fish & dairy | -5 to 0 °C | 23 to 32 °F |
| Smoked Fish | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Smoked Meat | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Sour Cream | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Vegetable Oil | Meat, fish & dairy | 2 to 10 °C | 36 to 50 °F |
| Yogurt | Meat, fish & dairy | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Deep Frozen Fish | Frozen | -20 to -17 °C | -4 to 1 °F |
| Frozen Beef & Pork | Frozen | -20 to -17 °C | -4 to 1 °F |
| Frozen Chicken & Fowl | Frozen | -20 to -17 °C | -4 to 1 °F |
| Frozen Concentrated Juices & Cream | Frozen | -20 to -17 °C | -4 to 1 °F |
| Frozen Fruits | Frozen | -20 to -18 °C | -4 to 0 °F |
| Frozen Smoked Fish | Frozen | -8 to 0 °C | 18 to 32 °F |
| Frozen Vegetables | Frozen | -20 to -12 °C | -4 to 10 °F |
| Ice Cream | Frozen | -20 to -18 °C | -4 to 0 °F |
| Cakes & Pies (No Cream) | Bakery, confectionery & honey | 1 to 3 °C | 34 to 37 °F |
| Cakes & Pies (With Cream) | Bakery, confectionery & honey | 18 to 19 °C | 64 to 66 °F |
| Caviar | Bakery, confectionery & honey | -5 to 0 °C | 23 to 32 °F |
| Chocolate | Bakery, confectionery & honey | 17 to 19 °C | 63 to 66 °F |
| Dough | Bakery, confectionery & honey | 0 to 5 °C | 32 to 41 °F |
| Honey | Bakery, confectionery & honey | 13 to 14 °C | 55 to 57 °F |
| Yeast | Bakery, confectionery & honey | -5 to 0 °C | 23 to 32 °F |
General industry reference ranges. The correct setpoint depends on variety, ripeness, packaging, transit time and the buyer's specification; always follow the shipper's written instructions and the carrier's advice.
Common reefer problems and how to avoid them
- Warm cargo loaded into the container. A reefer maintains temperature; it is not built to cool a warm load quickly. Cool the cargo to its carrying temperature before stuffing.
- Blocked airflow. Cargo stowed above the red load line or covering the T-bar floor stops air circulating and creates hot spots.
- Wrong unit of measure. A setpoint entered in °F instead of °C, or a missing minus sign, can destroy a whole load. Double-check the booking and the shipping instructions.
- Power gaps. Delays at ports or on trucks without a genset let the temperature drift. Ask your forwarder how power is kept on at each stage.
- Documentation. Temperature-controlled cargo often needs a phytosanitary or health certificate; some destinations also require cold treatment at a set temperature for a set number of days to kill pests.
Need the container specifications? See the container dimensions library. Converting °C and °F? Use the unit converter.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature is used for frozen food in a reefer container?
Most frozen food is carried at −18 °C (0 °F) or colder; some products such as ice cream are carried colder still. Check the table and the buyer's specification.
What temperature range can a reefer container hold?
Most modern reefer units can hold setpoints from roughly −30 °C to +30 °C, so the same container can carry frozen, chilled or temperature-sensitive ambient cargo.
Why do bananas need a higher temperature than apples?
Bananas are chill-sensitive and suffer damage below about 13 °C, while apples keep best close to 0–5 °C. Each commodity has its own safe range.
What does a pre-trip inspection (PTI) mean?
A PTI is a check of the reefer unit before it is released to the shipper, confirming that the refrigeration, sensors and controller work. Ask for the PTI record for valuable cargo.
What is a genset?
A diesel generator set clipped onto the reefer or its chassis to power the unit when it is on a truck or rail wagon without an electrical supply.