Agriculture &Food Processing
Clean, compliant pallet solutions for farms, packinghouses, cold storage, and food processing facilities across California and beyond.
Request Agriculture Quote
We understand harvest schedules and seasonal demand.
Food-Safe Pallets for the Entire Supply Chain
California's agricultural industry is the backbone of the nation's food supply. From the Central Valley to Riverside County, packinghouses and cold storage facilities need pallets that are clean, pest-free, and compliant with FDA and FSMA requirements.
Our heat-treated pallets meet ISPM-15 standards for pest control and are free of chemical treatments that could contaminate food products. We supply pallets specifically graded for produce handling, cold storage environments, and export shipping.
We understand the urgency of harvest season. Our rapid-response delivery ensures you never run out of pallets when the crop is ready.
Compliance & Certifications
ISPM-15 Heat Treated
All export pallets stamped and certified for international phytosanitary compliance.
FDA / FSMA Compliant
Clean, chemical-free pallets suitable for direct food contact applications.
Cold Storage Rated
Pallets tested for performance in environments down to -20°F / -29°C.
Traceability
Full documentation and lot tracking for food safety audits and recalls.
Agricultural Applications
Pallets designed for the unique demands of agriculture
Produce Packinghouses
Clean, graded pallets for fresh produce packing and shipping. Smooth surfaces prevent damage to boxes and crates.
Cold Storage & Freezers
Moisture-resistant pallets that maintain structural integrity in wet, cold, and frozen environments.
Wineries & Breweries
Specialty pallets for barrel storage, case goods, and keg handling. Custom sizes available for unique formats.
Dairy Operations
Hygienic pallet solutions for milk, cheese, and yogurt processing and distribution.
Grain & Feed
Heavy-duty pallets rated for bagged grain, animal feed, and bulk commodity storage.
Nurseries & Greenhouses
Lightweight, weather-resistant pallets for plant nurseries and outdoor garden center operations.
Agriculture By the Numbers
The scope of our agricultural pallet operations in California and beyond
Supplied to farms, packinghouses, and cold storage facilities
Every export pallet heat-treated and stamp-certified
Pallets tested for sub-zero cold chain environments
Farms, processors, and distributors we serve across California
Emergency delivery turnaround during peak harvest season
Agricultural-grade recycled pallets vs purchasing brand new
How We Work With Agriculture
From pre-season planning to harvest rush delivery
Pre-Season Consultation
We meet with your packinghouse or farm management team before the growing season to forecast pallet needs based on expected crop yields, shipping volumes, and export requirements. This ensures we reserve adequate inventory for your operation.
Compliance & Certification Review
We confirm which pallets require ISPM-15 heat treatment for international export, which need FDA/FSMA compliance for food contact, and which can use standard clean recycled pallets for domestic distribution. We handle all certification documentation.
Custom Sizing for Your Product
Many agricultural products require non-standard pallet sizes. We work with your pack line layout and box dimensions to provide pallets that maximize product density per pallet while meeting weight limits for your specific commodity.
Staged Inventory & Rapid Delivery
We pre-stage your pallet inventory at our yard before harvest begins. During peak season, we offer same-day delivery with a 4-hour turnaround on emergency orders. Your pallets are ready when the crop is ready.
Cold Storage Compatibility
For cold storage and freezer operations, we supply pallets specifically selected for moisture resistance and structural performance in sub-zero environments. We can also provide plastic or treated wood options for wet processing areas.
End-of-Season Retrieval
After harvest season winds down, we retrieve excess and spent pallets from your facility. Usable pallets are stored for next season. Damaged pallets are repaired or recycled. You only store what you need for the off-season.
Agricultural Pallet Operations
Clean, compliant pallets for the farm-to-table supply chain
Clean pallets staged for packinghouse delivery
Heat-treated pallets with ISPM-15 certification stamps
Agricultural pallet loading at farm facility
Cold storage rated pallets in our inventory yard
Pallet delivery to Riverside County packinghouse
Sorted agricultural pallet inventory ready for harvest season
Common Pallet Sizes for Agriculture
Standard and specialty dimensions for agricultural shipping and storage
GMA Produce Standard
Load Capacity: 2,800 lbs dynamic
The standard pallet for most produce packinghouses. Compatible with all cold storage racking, standard truck trailers, and common box sizes used in citrus, stone fruit, and vegetable packing.
Bulk Commodity
Load Capacity: 3,500 lbs dynamic
Used for bagged grain, animal feed, fertilizer, and other heavy bulk agricultural products. The square footprint prevents overhang on wide loads and is preferred for silo and warehouse storage.
Drum / Barrel Pallet
Load Capacity: 3,000 lbs dynamic
Designed for wine barrels, oil drums, and liquid agricultural products. The square format accommodates round containers with minimal wasted space and provides stable four-way fork entry.
Dairy Standard
Load Capacity: 2,500 lbs dynamic
The preferred pallet in dairy and cold storage distribution. Square format works well in automated cold storage systems and is compatible with standard dairy case dimensions.
Berry / Small Box
Load Capacity: 1,800 lbs dynamic
Compact pallet for berry clamshells, herbs, microgreens, and other small-format produce. Maximizes cooler space in operations with limited cold storage footprint.
Export Heat-Treated
Load Capacity: 2,500 lbs dynamic
ISPM-15 certified heat-treated pallet for international agricultural exports. Stamp-certified for customs clearance in all countries requiring phytosanitary treatment. Required for California produce shipped to Asia, EU, and other markets.
Golden Valley Citrus Cooperative
How a 12-farm citrus cooperative secured reliable pallet supply through their busiest harvest season
The Challenge
Golden Valley Citrus Cooperative represents 12 family farms in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, collectively operating three packinghouses that process over 40 million pounds of citrus annually. During peak harvest from November through April, their combined pallet consumption reaches 8,000-10,000 pallets per week.
Their previous pallet supplier repeatedly failed to meet demand during peak weeks, forcing Golden Valley to scramble for emergency pallets from multiple vendors at premium prices. In the 2023-24 season, pallet shortages caused two full packinghouse shutdowns totaling 4.5 days, resulting in an estimated $180,000 in lost revenue and spoiled product.
Additionally, approximately 35% of their output is exported to Asia, requiring ISPM-15 certified pallets. Their previous supplier could not guarantee sufficient heat-treated inventory during peak season.
The Solution
Riverside Pallet Co. worked with Golden Valley's cooperative manager to build a pre-season supply plan. We committed to reserving 12,000 pallets per week of capacity during the November-April peak, split between 7,500 standard clean recycled GMA pallets for domestic shipments and 4,500 ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets for export.
We established a delivery rotation across all three packinghouses with daily drops during peak harvest. Our team also set up a pallet staging area at Golden Valley's central yard, maintaining a 3-day buffer supply of 3,000 pallets on-site at all times. This buffer eliminated any risk of line stoppage even during unexpected yield surges. For the off-season, we reduced deliveries to twice-weekly and stored their reserved export pallet inventory at our facility at no charge.
The Results
Packinghouse shutdowns due to pallet shortages (down from 2 per season)
In lost revenue and spoilage prevented annually
Export pallet availability with guaranteed ISPM-15 heat-treated stock
On-site buffer supply maintained at central yard throughout season
Per-pallet cost reduction vs. previous supplier panic-pricing during shortages
“In agriculture, you cannot tell the trees to stop producing because your pallet supplier did not show up. Last season was our first year with Riverside Pallet and it was the smoothest harvest we have had in a decade. The buffer stock they keep at our yard means my packinghouse managers never even think about pallets anymore -- they are just always there. And the export pallets are certified and ready to go, which keeps our Asian buyers happy.”
Roberto Alvarez
General Manager, Golden Valley Citrus Cooperative
Agriculture FAQ
Common questions from farms, packinghouses, and food processors
What does ISPM-15 heat treatment mean, and do I need it?
ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) requires that wood packaging materials used in international trade be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes to eliminate pests. If you are exporting agricultural products to any country that enforces ISPM-15 (which includes the EU, China, Japan, Australia, and most other markets), your pallets must be heat-treated and carry the official IPPC stamp. We handle all treatment and certification -- every export pallet we deliver is stamped and ready for customs.
Are your pallets safe for direct contact with food products?
Yes. Our food-grade pallets are made from clean, untreated wood that has not been exposed to chemical preservatives, pesticides, or industrial contaminants. For operations requiring FDA or FSMA compliance, we provide pallets that are heat-treated (not chemically fumigated), inspected for cleanliness, and free of visible mold, staining, or foreign material. We can provide documentation and compliance certificates for food safety audits.
Can your pallets withstand cold storage and freezer environments?
Yes. We supply pallets specifically selected and tested for cold chain applications down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold storage pallets must handle moisture from condensation and temperature cycling without warping, splitting, or losing structural integrity. We use tightly grained, kiln-dried wood for cold storage applications and avoid species prone to moisture absorption. We also offer plastic pallet options for wet processing environments like wash stations.
How do you handle the dramatic volume swings of harvest season?
Pre-season planning is key. We work with each agricultural client to forecast peak demand based on historical yields and acreage. We then reserve and pre-build inventory specifically for your operation months before harvest begins. During peak season, we offer daily delivery and maintain on-site buffer stock at your facility. We have never failed to deliver on a harvest season commitment in our history.
Do you supply pallets for wineries and breweries?
Yes. We work with wineries throughout Temecula Valley and breweries across the Inland Empire. Wineries typically need barrel pallets (44x44 or custom dimensions for their barrel format), case goods pallets for bottled wine shipping, and export pallets for international distribution. Breweries need keg pallets rated for heavy dynamic loads and standard GMA pallets for case pack distribution. We can custom-build pallets to fit your specific barrel, keg, or case dimensions.
What is your emergency delivery response time during harvest?
During harvest season (typically March through October for most Riverside County crops), we maintain emergency response capability with a 4-hour turnaround for standard GMA pallets from order to dock delivery. Heat-treated export pallets are available same-day from our pre-staged inventory. We staff additional drivers and trucks during peak agricultural season specifically to support emergency orders.
Can you handle organic and specialty crop certification requirements?
Yes. For organic operations, we provide pallets that are free of chemical treatments, pesticide residue, and any materials that could compromise organic certification. We can provide written documentation confirming that pallets have not been treated with methyl bromide or other prohibited substances. For specialty crops with unique handling requirements, we work directly with your certifying agency to ensure compliance.
Related Services
Complete pallet solutions for agricultural operations
Harvest Season Is Coming
Secure your pallet supply before peak season. We guarantee availability for agricultural partners.