Grapefruit Ordering and Handling
Packaging
Shipping Containers
- 50 lb., 10 5-lb. film bags
- 48 lb., 6 8-lb. film bags
- 40 lb. 4/5-bushel cartons/crates
- 40 lb. 7/10-bushel cartons (Texas)
- 34 lb. cartons (Ariz., Calif.)
- 20 lb. 7/20 bushel cartons
- 17 lb. cartons (Ariz., Calif.)
- 18 lb. bags
- 10-11 lb. cartons (single layer; Ariz., Calif.)
- 5 lb. bags
- 5 8-lb. bags (Texas)
- 4 10-lb. bags (Texas)
U.S. Grades
Florida
- U.S. Fancy
- U.S. No. 1 Bright
- U.S. No. 1
- U.S. No. 1 Golden
- U.S. No. 1 Bronze
- U.S. No. 1 Russet
- U.S. No. 2 Bright
- U.S. No. 2
- U.S. No. 2 Russet
- U.S. No. 3
California and Arizona
- U.S. Fancy
- U.S. No. 1
- U.S. No. 2
- U.S. Combination
- U.S. No. 3
Texas and Other States
- U.S. Fancy
- Texas Fancy
- U.S. No. 1 Bright
- U.S. No. 1
- U.S. No. 1 Bronze
- U.S. Combination
- Texas Choice
- U.S. No. 2
- U.S. No. 2 Russet
- U.S. No. 3
Common PLUs
- 4027 – small red/pink, East
- 4047 – Small red/pink, West
- 4280 – Small red/pink, Central
- 4281 – Large red/pink, East
- 4282 – Large red pink, West
- 4283 – Large red/pink, Central
- 4491 – Extra large red/pink, West
- 4493 – Extra large red/pink, Central
- 4284 – Small deep red, East
- 4285 – Small deep red, West
- 4286 – Small deep red Central
- 4287 – Large deep red, West
- 4289 – Large deep red, Central
- 4494 – Extra large deep red, East
- 4495 – Extra large deep red, West
- 4496 – Extra large deep red, Central
- 4290 – Small white, East
- 4291 – Small white, West
- 4292 – Small white, Central
- 4293 – Large white, East
- 4294 – Large white, West
- 4295 – Large white, Central
- 3157 – Extra large white, East
- 3159 – Extra large white, West
- 3158 – Extra large white, Central
Equivalents
- 1 medium grapefruit = about 1 cup juice
- 1 medium grapefruit = about 3 cups bite size pieces
- 1 medium grapefruit = 10-12 sections
- 1 medium grapefruit = 3=4 tablespoons grated peel
- 1 small grapefruit = about 2/3 cup juice
Receiving
Grapefruit should be heavy for its size; the heavier it is, the juicier it is. Grapefruit should be firm yet resilient. If grapefruit doesn’t "give" when pressed, it usually will be dry and without much juice. Choose grapefruit that has a shiny skin. Rough skin indicates dry fruit. With pink grapefruit, a blush of pink on the skin is normal.
Handling
- Temperature: Calif. and Ariz., 50-55 F, 10-12.8 C; Fla. and Texas, 50-60 F, 10-15.8 C
- Relative humidity: 85-90 percent
- Mist: No
- Typical shelf life: 28-42 days
- Moderately sensitive to freezing injury
- Susceptible to chilling injury
Long storage does not improve grapefruit quality. Decay and rind breakdown may occur as well as stem-end rot, particularly from crops grown in the Gulf States. Florida fruit that has been degreened with ethylene can be handled normally. Lower humidity levels can enhance rind breakdown.
- Able to recover from one or two light freezing.
- Damage sometimes is not apparent until the produce is returned to a warmer temperature.