Assessment of the

3.2 COLD STORAGES 
At the time of the field visit, most of the cold storages were filled with grapes with the following 
observations noted: 
• Some storage facilities were above capacity while others were below capacity; 
• Due to the lack of pre-cooling facilities, pre-cooling was conducted in cold stores utilizing a pyramid 
shape, which requires 12 to 24 hours to reach the required temperature 1
0
C. 
• Calibration is not conducted by the Metrology Institute/Calibration bodies; rather, they believe their 
own equipment and do some comparisons with thermometers. Calibrated temperature and humidity 

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USAID.GOV ASSESSMENT OF REGIONAL AGRI-LOGISTICS CENTERS IN UZBEKISTAN | 16 
measurement devices, balance, and fire extinguishers were not available. There is limited knowledge 
on the importance of calibration.
• Some cold stores reported that they recorded humidity and temperature on a daily basis, but no 
evidence was found during the visit.
• Cold stores, loading and unloading sites were not properly cleaned. Drinking, eating and smoking 
occurred in and around the corridors of the cold stores, and most of the light lamps were uncovered 
or not properly protected. Dogs and cats walked around the facilities.
• Some of the cold rooms were built in a manner that is difficult to clean. Floors, walls and ceiling were 
covered with wooden materials or rough surfaces. Some were rusty. 
• In general, the cold storage facilities visited require proper monitoring and storage/stacking disciplines, 
handling practices, and good hygienic practices, but some need complete rehabilitation (refer annex 3 
for photograph presentations). 
• Document handling and record keeping practices should be implemented and monitored. 
It was reported that there are 200 to 300 cold stores in each region with different capacities from 100 
tons to few hundred tons capacity, with 5 to 10 percent growth per year. Few cold stores have capacity 
between 1000 to 3000 tons, and one has 7000 tons capacity. There are newly constructed cold stores 
while others have turned grain stores and garages into cold stores. It was reported that existing capacity 
might be sufficient for the current market volume; however, with limited capacity/absence of pre-cooling 
facilities thorough assessment and diagnostic analysis should be conducted to identify the potential cold 
stores that could easily be integrated with the ALCs with minor modifications to ensure proper 
storage/stacking discipline and handling practices, and good hygienic and manufacturing practices. Training 
and capacity building support are required, including document and record handling practices, by 
development support agents, extension services, the Ministry of Agriculture, quarantine and calibration 
service providers.