FROZEN ORANGE/MANDARIN SEGMENTS IQF

VIETNAM FROZEN ORANGE/MANDARIN SEGMENTS IQF

1. Brief IQF production process

   • Harvest at full colour & Brix 11-14° (Valencia, Hamlin, Mandarin King, Murcott)
   • Wash → peel & segment by hand/machine → remove seeds & membranes
   • Dip in light syrup + citric/ascorbic acid (Brix final 14-18°)
   • IQF freezing at -38°C to -40°C (core ≤ -18°C within <12 min)
   • Sorting, metal detection → packing

2. Main varieties for export

   • Valencia orange (segments): juicy, classic orange taste
   • Hamlin orange: early season, bright colour
   • Mandarin King / Murcott / Afourer: sweet, easy-peel, premium segment
   • Mandarin varieties now >60% of IQF export volume

3. Common sizes

   • Whole segments (most popular)
   • Half segments
   • Dice: 10×10 mm (for beverage industry)

4. Applications

   • Juice & beverage factories (base for NFC, concentrate)
   • Ice cream, sorbet, yogurt, fruit salad
   • Bakery, dessert topping...

5. Packing

   • Standard: 1-2 kg PE bag → 10 kg net carton
   • Retail: 400 g / 500 g / 1 kg bags
   • Bulk: 10-20 kg carton or 500-800 kg octabin
   • Private label + FDA/Halal/BRC documents

6. Loading 40ft Reefer

   • 20-22 MT net (with pallet)
   • Max 25-26 MT net (without pallet)

7. Storage

   • ≤ -18°C, shelf life 24 months

8. Key advantages

   • 95-98% retention of fresh colour, aroma & vitamin C
   • Year-round supply (Vietnam has the longest citrus season in Asia)
   • 20-30% cheaper than Spain, Morocco, Egypt
   • Ready-to-use segments, zero peel waste
   • No artificial colours or preservatives

9. Harvest seasons (continuous 12 months)

   • Mekong Delta (Tiền Giang, Vĩnh Long, Đồng Tháp): Nov → May (peak Jan-Apr)
   • North (Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Hòa Bình – Mandarin): Sep → Feb
   • Central (Quảng Ngãi, Nghệ An – Valencia): Apr → Sep → Stable supply all year round

10. Required certificates Mandatory

    1. Phytosanitary Certificate
    2. Health Certificate
    3. HACCP or BRCGS/ISO 22000
    4. Certificate of Origin (Form E, AK, CPTPP, EVFTA…)

    Market-specific

    • USA → FDA Registration + Prior Notice
    • EU → GlobalG.A.P + EU Health Certificate + MRL compliance
    • Japan → JAS quarantine
    • China → GACC Registration
    • Korea → MFDS permit
    • Middle East → Halal Certificate