NEWS & TIPS

HOW SMALL DAIRY FARMERS BENEFIT FROM USING COLD STORAGE CONTAINERS

The dairy industry is heavily dependent on access to ample refrigerated space, as most products are perishable and sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Large farms and corporate manufacturers can afford to build state-of-the-art facilities, but for small companies this might be prohibitively expensive. Cold storage containers made of high-grade materials with integrated compact refrigeration systems provide a worthy alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar buildings.

Refrigerated containers are very versatile and can be deployed in many ways depending on the types of produce a business is offering, the layout of the facilities, the existence of other storage facilities, etc. Some of the ways in which refrigerated containers can create value in this sector include:

Reducing Spoilage while Increasing the Delivered Quantities

Having more cold storage capacity on location allows for better protection of milk and dairy products from outside temperatures, thus extending their freshness. In addition, perishable products can spoil if they are not kept in optimum conditions – less spoilage means more sales and a better return on investment.

Managing Periods of Intense Production More Efficiently

Agricultural production can have increased periods of seasonal activity; thus, the need for refrigerated space can fluctuate significantly from one part of the year to another. That’s why temporary storage can be an important tool for dairy farmers looking to maximise their commercial output in the periods when the production is at a peak. Since it wouldn't be financially viable to build permanent brick-and-mortar warehouses that would remain empty for most of the year, leasing containers from a top UK provider like Spacewise is often a preferable option.

Expanding Into New Markets with Container Storage

For small producers, access to storage space can be one of the limiting factors capping their production levels, so finding a way to resolve this issue has a bearing on the scope of their offering. By leasing several reefer units, farmers can introduce additional products into the marketplace. Additional cold storage capacity can also fuel geographic expansion since goods can be sold onsite at events like farmers' markets.

Managing Overhead Costs

The financial difference between leasing a container and other forms of storage for a short-term period can be significant. The gap is even larger for companies who only need cold storage to fulfil seasonal peaks since containers can be leased for short periods at desirable rates. Storage firms like Spacewise can offer 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft containers throughout the year, allowing products to potentially be stored at any scale. Because of this, refrigerated containers can be used to reduce overhead costs.