An improved system and method for evaluating stored agricultural or horticultural commodities is provided. The system and method generally include performing atmospheric measurements within multiple controlled atmosphere rooms, or sampling enclosures coupled to controlled atmosphere rooms, and determining a change over time of a respiratory value of the commodities stored therein. Based on the change over time of the respiratory value, the system and method selects commodities from among at least one of the controlled atmosphere rooms for delivery, marketing, storage, or other disposition.