Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is an alternative method to conventional refrigeration for prolonging shelf life of horticultural perishable crops. By placing commodities in polyethylene bags (PEB) of suitable thickness, the oxygen level of the enclosed atmosphere is gradually reduced while carbon dioxide accumulates. These modified gas conditions inside the polyethylene bag retards respiration rate and other metabolic changes, thereby slowing down deterioration and extending storage life. Other benefits include reduced moisture loss, delayed peel color development and yellowing (in the case of vegetables), alleviation of chilling injury, and increased vase life of cutflowers. The method is cheaper than refrigeration. When combined with cold storage, storage life is extended even longer than with only using conventional refrigeration.