Fresh vegetables, citrus and cut flowers from Antalya lose value quickly if the cold chain breaks. BNK Logistics plans refrigerated shipments around the product: we arrange a suitable reefer truck and equipment, confirm the set temperature, align loading with packing and harvest schedules, and coordinate the shipment from pickup to the consignee's ramp in Russia, Central Asia and Europe.
What we do on a refrigerated shipment
- Product and temperature brief: product, target carrying temperature, buyer specification, packaging and remaining shelf life.
- Vehicle and equipment: single-temperature or multi-compartment reefer trailer, heating where needed in winter, ATP-compliant equipment and temperature recording.
- Loading coordination: the trailer arrives clean and pre-cooled; loading time is matched to the packhouse schedule.
- Route and border plan: border crossings, transit countries and road conditions on the shipping date.
- Documents: we work with you and your customs broker so that phytosanitary and other product-specific certificates are ready before loading.
- Delivery: the consignee's ramp slot is booked in advance to reduce waiting at the door.
Cold chain freight from Antalya: main directions
Antalya's greenhouse regions (Kumluca, Demre, Finike, Serik, Aksu) ship tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, citrus and cut flowers mainly from autumn to spring.
| Direction | Typical route | Planning notes |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Via Sarp into Georgia and Upper Lars into Russia; Black Sea Ro-Ro as an alternative | Around 10-11 days to Moscow by road; winter weather in the Caucasus and border queues can extend this |
| Central Asia | Northern route via Russia, Caspian ferry via Azerbaijan, or transit via Iran | Long transit and possible ferry waiting; the corridor is chosen against shelf life |
| Europe | Via Kapıkule through the Balkans | Usually around 4-6 days to Germany; EU entry controls and ramp bookings |
Transit times are approximate and depend on borders, season and route; conditions on the shipping date are confirmed during planning. See freight to Russia and freight to Central Asia for route details.
Temperature planning
The set point comes from the product and the buyer's specification, not from the carrier. Indicative ranges:
| Product | Approx. range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 10-13°C | Sensitive to chilling injury |
| Peppers, cucumbers | 7-12°C | Soften at low temperatures |
| Citrus | 3-7°C | Depends on variety |
| Cherries, strawberries | 0-2°C | Fast pre-cooling needed |
| Cut flowers | 2-5°C | Sensitive to ethylene and vibration |
| Frozen food | -18°C or below | No thawing |
Products needing different temperatures are either split into separate trucks or planned in a multi-compartment trailer.
Pre-cooling, loading and data loggers
- Pre-cooling: a reefer maintains temperature; it is not designed to pull down warm produce. Product temperature is checked before loading.
- Air flow: pallets are kept off the walls and below the air duct.
- Temperature records: the unit recorder and, if required, portable data loggers are started before loading. We ask in advance which record the buyer accepts.
- Photos: loaded pallets and the sealed doors are photographed and kept in the shipment folder.
Waiting and delay risks
Border inspections, ferry queues, closed ramps and missing certificates all consume shelf life. We plan loading backwards from the consignee's receiving slot, follow up documents before loading day, and recommend sharing weekly loading plans in peak season when reefer demand rises.
Document checklist
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- CMR consignment note; TIR Carnet or transit declaration depending on route
- Export declaration
- Certificate of origin (or EUR.1 / A.TR depending on destination)
- Phytosanitary certificate for fresh plant products; veterinary certificate for animal products
- Quality or lab reports if the buyer requires them
- ATP certificate of the equipment and temperature records, where applicable
Requirements are confirmed against current regulations and the destination country's rules before each shipment.
Full truck or groupage reefer
A full reefer truck goes from the packhouse to the consignee without transshipment, which keeps the temperature history simple and the transit time more predictable. For a few pallets, a groupage reefer can be assessed, but only when the other cargo on the truck needs a compatible temperature range and the consolidation schedule leaves enough shelf life. We check both conditions before offering this option.
Who this service is for
Greenhouse producers and packhouses in the Antalya region, fresh produce and citrus exporters, cut flower growers, food manufacturers shipping chilled or frozen goods, and importers in Russia and Central Asia buying from Turkish suppliers. During the autumn-to-spring season we recommend sharing a weekly loading calendar in advance so that suitable equipment can be planned on time.
Why BNK Logistics
- Planning first: product, temperature and delivery window before the truck.
- Based in Antalya, close to the greenhouse regions; see logistics from Antalya. Road, sea and rail can be combined; reefer containers via sea freight are an option for distant markets.
- Communication in English, Russian, Turkish and Chinese, including WhatsApp.
- A tracking link with shipment stages, estimated dates, location and shared documents.
- All documents and loading photos of each shipment kept in one folder.
Request a quote
Send pickup and delivery addresses, product, target temperature, packaging, pallet count, total weight and target loading date via the quote form or WhatsApp. You receive a tracking code when you submit the form.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a reefer truck take from Antalya to Moscow?
By road via Georgia it usually takes around 10-11 days. Winter conditions in the Caucasus and border queues can extend this, so conditions on the shipping date are confirmed during planning.
Can different products travel in one reefer?
Only if their temperature ranges are compatible. Otherwise we plan a multi-compartment trailer or separate trucks; ethylene compatibility is also checked.
How do you provide temperature records?
The reefer unit's recorder and, where required, portable data loggers are started before loading. We confirm in advance which record the buyer accepts and plan how it is shared at delivery.
Which documents are needed for fresh produce exports?
Usually a commercial invoice, packing list, CMR, export declaration, certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate, plus any quality reports the buyer asks for. The final list is confirmed against current regulations.
Do you handle groupage reefer loads?
We can assess a groupage option when other cargo on the truck has a compatible temperature range and the consolidation schedule fits the product's shelf life. If not, we recommend a full truck.
How is the price determined?
It depends on route, temperature requirement, trailer type, season, backhaul availability and border conditions. We quote based on your cargo details and shipping date.
