B2B EXPORTEU & GLOBAL MARKETS
Storage and handling
How should prunes be stored?
Prunes are a stable product, but their texture and shelf life depend on storage conditions. The same goods can lose quality before the printed date if held warm or damp.
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Direct answer
Where and how are prunes stored?
Prunes keep best in a cool, dry and dark place in well sealed packaging. An opened pack is best kept in an airtight container, and in warm months in the refrigerator. A damp, warm space accelerates spoilage regardless of the declared shelf life.
Decision data
Storage conditions and their effect
The declared shelf life assumes the prescribed conditions. If goods are held outside them, that date stops being meaningful, which matters most when storing larger volumes.
| Condition | Recommendation | What happens otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Cool and steady | Heat dries the fruit and accelerates darkening |
| Air humidity | Dry | Moisture softens the fruit and opens the way to spoilage |
| Light | Dark | Direct light alters colour |
| Packaging | Sealed, barrier material | Open packaging exchanges moisture with the air |
| After opening | Airtight container | The fruit dries out and loses texture |
| Proximity to odours | Stored separately | Dried fruit takes up surrounding odours |
Direct answer
Does a white coating mean the prunes have spoiled?
Not necessarily. Dried fruit sometimes develops a whitish surface layer formed when sugar migrates out of the fruit and crystallises. It follows a change in temperature or humidity and is not a sign of spoilage. Mould, by contrast, is recognised by its fuzzy structure and smell, and such product is not used.
Reference values
For larger volumes and warehousing
For pallet quantities, storage conditions are agreed in advance, because they determine whether the declared shelf life can be held all the way to the end customer.
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Warehouse space | Dry, ventilated, out of direct sunlight |
| Pallet stacking | Clear of walls and floor, away from odorous goods |
| Stock rotation | Older batches shipped first |
| Condition monitoring | Temperature and humidity recorded in the warehouse |
| Transport | Conditions agreed together with the delivery term |
Shelf life and storage conditions for a specific batch are stated in the specification accompanying a quotation. General shelf life figures by product type are on the moisture and shelf life page.
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Send the known parameters. Open items can be defined in a technical discussion.