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Onions are the mirror image of potatoes in storage: they want it cold and dry, not cool and humid. Get curing, temperature, humidity and airflow right and Egyptian onions ship for weeks without sprouting or rot. This guide covers the onion cold chain from field to reefer, plus packing formats.
Quick answer: Egyptian export onions are cured until the necks are tight and skins dry, then stored cold and dry — around 0°C at 65–70% RH with good airflow (the opposite of potatoes’ high humidity). Sprouting is controlled by low temperature plus field-applied maleic hydrazide. Pack in net / mesh bags (5–25 kg), big (jumbo) bags or cartons, and ship in ventilated reefer containers.
Table of Contents
Curing comes first
After lifting, onions are cured — dried in the field or with forced air for roughly two to four weeks until the outer skins are papery and the necks are tight and sealed. Proper curing is the single biggest factor in storage life: it locks out neck rot and moisture loss.
Storage: cold and dry
Unlike potatoes, onions store best cold and dry. The target is around 0°C at a relatively low humidity of 65–70%, with steady airflow. Low temperature and low humidity together suppress sprouting, rooting and rot. (For shorter holds, cool, dry, well-ventilated ambient storage is also used.)
| Parameter | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | ~0°C (long storage) | Suppresses sprouting & rooting |
| Humidity | 65–70% RH | Low RH prevents rot & rooting |
| Airflow | Steady ventilation | Removes moisture & heat |
| Sprout control | Maleic hydrazide (field) + cold | Keeps bulbs dormant |
Packaging formats
- Net / mesh (leno) bags — 5, 10, 20 or 25 kg; breathable, the standard export pack (red netting for reds, yellow for golden).
- Big / jumbo bags (around 1,000 kg) — for bulk programs.
- Cartons and retail packs — for retail-ready presentation.
Bulbs are graded by diameter, well-cured with dry intact skins, and palletised for ventilated, stable loading.
Loading and shipping
Onions ship in reefer (or well-ventilated) containers, kept cold and dry with fresh-air exchange to vent moisture and prevent condensation — the main enemy in transit. Keep the cold chain unbroken and avoid wetting, which triggers rot and rooting. A 40 ft reefer carries on the order of 26 tons of bagged onions depending on the pack.
Quality preservation checklist
- Cure thoroughly — tight necks, dry skins — before storage.
- Store cold (~0°C) and dry (65–70% RH) with airflow.
- Control sprouting with field-applied maleic hydrazide plus low temperature.
- Keep bulbs dry in transit; prevent condensation.
- Handle gently to avoid bruising and skin loss.
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature and humidity should onions be stored?
Around 0 degrees C at a low 65-70% relative humidity, with good airflow – cold and dry, the opposite of potatoes.
Why cure onions before storage?
Curing dries the skins and seals the necks, which dramatically reduces rot and moisture loss in storage.
How is onion sprouting controlled?
Mainly by low storage temperature, supported by field-applied maleic hydrazide before harvest.
How are export onions packed?
Usually in net/mesh bags (5-25 kg), big bags for bulk, or cartons and retail packs – graded, cured and ventilated.
How are onions shipped?
In reefer or well-ventilated containers, kept cold and dry with fresh-air exchange to prevent condensation; a 40 ft reefer holds roughly 26 tons depending on the pack.
How to cite this page
PEI Trade. “Egyptian Onion Packaging & Cold Chain.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-onion-packaging-cold-chain/
Sources
- Onion post-harvest and storage science — curing, cold-dry storage temperatures and humidity, sprout control.
- Industry guidance — mesh-bag packing and ventilated reefer shipping practice.
This page is part of our Egyptian Onion Export Guide hub.
Ship Egyptian onions that arrive in spec with PEI Trade. Proper curing, cold-dry storage, sprout control and ventilated reefer discipline — in mesh bags, jumbo bags or cartons to your program. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com