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HOW LONG CAN FROZEN VEGETABLES BE STORED?
Frozen fruits and vegetables are a smart solution for long-term food preservation, making them ideal for both personal consumption and industrial processing. In Vietnam, many frozen produce exporters are adopting modern technologies to extend shelf life and maintain the quality of agricultural products. So, exactly how long can frozen vegetables be stored, and what factors affect their longevity?
Methods of freezing fruits and vegetables
The preservation of frozen fruits and vegetables in Vietnam currently relies mainly on two common methods: traditional freezing using cold storage/freezers, and quick freezing using IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) technology.
Freezing using conventional freezers
This method uses household freezers or cold storage units at temperatures ranging from -18°C to -25°C. While it is cost-effective and suitable for small-scale operations, its major drawback is the long freezing time, which causes large ice crystals to form inside the vegetables. This can damage their texture, reduce flavor, and diminish nutritional value.
Freezing with IQF technology
IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) is a rapid freezing technology that freezes each piece of produce individually at extremely low temperatures (as low as -40°C or below). Thanks to the fast freezing speed, water in the food doesn’t have time to form large ice crystals, helping the vegetables retain their color, crispness, flavor, and nutritional content after thawing. Additionally, IQF products do not clump together, making them very convenient to use.
Differences Between Freezing Temperature Levels
| Freezing Temperature | Technology / Freezing Method | Impact on Preservation |
|---|---|---|
| -18°C to -25°C | Conventional freezing (freezers, cold storage) | Shorter preservation time, freshness less than IQF. Large ice crystals form easily, affecting food texture. |
| -40°C and below | IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) | Retains original color, aroma, flavor, and texture. Products do not stick together. Preservation time is 1.5 to 2 times longer. |
Storage Duration of 10 Typical Fruits and Vegetables by Freezing Method
Differences in Storage Time Between Freezing Methods
| Vegetable/Fruit | Common Frozen Form | Conventional Freezing (Freezer at -18°C to -25°C) | IQF Freezing (Below -40°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Sweet Potato | Whole, half, chunk cut, dice cut, slices, sticks… | 10 – 12 months | 18 – 24 months |
| Yellow Sweet Potato | Whole, half, chunk cut, dice cut, slices, sticks… | 10 – 12 months | 18 – 24 months |
| Taro | Whole, half, chunk cut, dice cut, slices, sticks… | 10 – 12 months | 18 – 24 months |
| Corn | Kernels, whole, half, cut sections | 10 – 12 months | 18 – 24 months |
| Baby Corn | Whole, halved | 8 – 10 months | 16 – 24 months |
| Okra | Sliced, whole | 8 – 10 months | 16 – 24 months |
| Lemongrass | Whole stalk, sliced, crushed, minced | 8 – 10 months | 16 – 24 months |
| Lime | Whole, half, thinly sliced, zest grated | 6 – 9 months | 12 – 24 months |
| Chili Pepper | Sliced, diced, whole | 6 – 9 months | 12 – 24 months |
| Lotus Root | Whole, cut sections, thin slices | 8 – 10 months | 16 – 24 months |
Note: Storage duration may vary depending on the freshness of the raw materials, type of pre-processing, packaging, and freezing technology used.
Hung Hau Foods Guarantees Storage Time of Up to 24 Months for Fruits and Vegetables
- As a reputable exporter of frozen fruits and vegetables in Vietnam, and owning internationally certified factories along with advanced IQF freezing technology, Hung Hau Foods ensures that its frozen fruit and vegetable products achieve the highest quality, long-term preservation, and meet the strict requirements of major export markets such as Japan, the EU, South Korea, China, and more.
- Hung Hau Foods’ frozen fruits and vegetables from Vietnam can be stored for up to 24 months while maintaining their original quality — an ideal solution for processing factories, supermarkets, restaurants, and F&B chains. Hung Hau Foods’ products are currently available in more than 40 countries and territories.
📌 View the product catalog or place an order at: IQF Fruits & Vegetables – Công ty Cổ phần Thực phẩm Hùng Hậu (Hùng Hậu Foods)
IQF fruits and vegetables have become an indispensable trend in the modern food processing industry. The application of IQF technology extends preservation time to 18–24 months, maintaining the food’s quality just as fresh as at harvest. With strengths in clean, non-GMO raw materials and advanced processing and IQF freezing technology, Hung Hau Foods is currently one of Vietnam’s leading exporters of frozen fruits and vegetables, delivering reliability in every product and bringing value to customers.