Postharvest Management of Commercial Horticultural Crops

CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

By
Karen L. B. Gast

There is an old adage that “If you package it different regions developed specific container sizes
right, you can sell just about anything.” It’s no for their own markets. That is why there are Long
different for packaging fruits and vegetables—they Island, Florida, Catskill and California wirebound
must be packaged so customers will buy them. crates. L.A., Sanger and Brentwood lugs are ex-
amples of cities developing containers to differenti-
Proper packaging is especially important when
ate their produce.
a grower is selling to a wholesale buyer. There is no
uniformity in container size or weight standards for The main functions of a produce container are:
all fruits and vegetables, but individual crops have
■ To prevent and reduce injury to the crop
specific industry packaging standards. If the crops
during transit and handling.
are not packaged accordingly, wholesale customers
probably will not buy them. Reasons for specific ■ To provide ventilation to hasten cooling
industry standards are twofold: and escape of heat caused by respiration.
■ So everyone in the industry speaks the ■ To reduce water loss from the crop.
same “packaging” language. In other
words, everyone knows what they are
buying and selling. Container Materials
■ Crops have different requirements for Containers may be made of wood, styrofoam,
handling, so different types of containers and plastic, but corrugated fiberboard is the most
are made to fit them. popular rigid container. Each material has advan-
tages and disadvantages. Stacking strength, length
The generic term, “container,” will be used in
of storage, storage treatment, precooling method
this publication to refer to boxes, cartons, lugs, flats,
and cost influence the choice of material.
crates, bags, sacks and bulk bins. When a specific
container is discussed, that term will be used. If the container has contact with water or ice, it
should be made of water-resistant material. Nailed
Different container sizes and types have the
wooden boxes and wirebound wooden crates
disadvantage of making handling and transporting
provide rigidity under moist conditions and have
crops to markets difficult. Often, they do not fit well
excellent stacking strength. Due to costs, though,
together on pallets in storage, or in trucks. Where
they are being replaced by cheaper fiberboard or
the crop is grown also will influence the container
plastic containers.
size and shape. In the past, when fruit and veg-
etable production and distribution was regional,

Kansas State University

Agricultural Experiment Station and
Cooperative Extension Service
 Fiberboard containers are often waxed to give Vents also allow the heat built up by respiration
them water resistance; otherwise they weaken if to escape. Produce exposed to high temperatures in
they become wet or moist. Thus, their use is limited unvented containers will usually have a shorter
to long-term storage in high humidity conditions, shelf life.
or when hydrocooling and top-icing are used in
A well-made container has uniform venting, so
precooling. Telescoping construction, dividers and
when it is stacked the vents will match other
corner reinforcement are ways that fiberboard
containers. Matching is important so cold air can be
boxes have been made stronger.
pulled through a whole stack or pallet of containers.
Plastic containers, a relatively new type of
Too much venting weakens a container, while
container, have good stacking strength and are
too little venting restricts the air flow through it. A
water resistant. They tend to be brittle, especially
good rule of thumb is to have 5 percent of the
foam plastic, which shatters quite easily when
container sides and/or ends vented. A few large
dropped or handled roughly.
vertical vents are better than many small round
Nonrigid containers such as bags and sacks are ones. A container with bags, liners and vertical
made of burlap, cotton or plastic mesh or ventilated dividers will eliminate the beneficial effects of
plastic film. They contain the produce, but offer no vents. Most commercial box and carton companies
structural support. They allow good contact be- have standard containers with effective venting
tween the produce and ice for cooling and storage. spacings.

Bulk Bins Wrapping

Bulk bins, originally used in harvesting, are Wrapping pears and apples individually in
now used for shipping and storage of some pro- tissue-type paper has been a common practice to
duce. Bin sizes vary, but there is a move to a reduce vibrational and impact bruising from other
standard 40 × 48-inch size with a palletized bottom fruit in the container. Wrapping has become less
for easy handling. Placement and type of bin vents common in recent years because skilled labor is
varies. Most bulk bins are wood and stackable. required to wrap fruit properly and efficiently.
Corrugated fiberboard bins that are attached to
wooden pallets are mostly used for watermelons
Palletization of Containers
and other vine crops.
Palletization or unitized handling (stacking
Bulk bins are replacing loose bulk loading and
containers on standard size pallets) is used to
handling for commodities such as potatoes, onions,
reduce the number of times an individual container
melons and squash. Bins reduce the amount of
is handled, and to reduce damage to the contents.
handling labor needed, and may reduce bruising of
Palletization is becoming an industry standard for
the fruits and vegetables.
handling large quantities of produce.
A standard pallet is 40 × 48 inches, and most
Container Ventilation
containers are designed to stack on them (straight
Containers need to be vented to effectively or crossed). To hold the stack on the pallet, some
lower and maintain produce temperature for containers have interlocking tabs between the
storage. If the produce is precooled by room cooling layers. “Break-away” glue is sometimes used
or forced-air cooling, the cold room air must be between the layers, or the unitized pallet is
forced through the containers to remove field heat. wrapped with plastic film or mesh. When stacking
To ensure the longest shelf life, the produce must be and loading the pallet, care needs to be taken to
precooled as quickly as possible. Vents allow cold match vents between containers. Standard con-
air to be forced more quickly through the containers tainer sizes are now being developed that fit
and produce. interchangeably on the 40 × 48-inch pallet.

2
Labeling as the number or count in the containers; but some
crops use actual produce size in length or diameter.
Produce containers should be labeled at each end
and on the top with the following information: Number or count is the number of fruits or
vegetables that will fit into the container. This is
1. Commodity (potatoes, apples, etc.)
customarily called a “count pack.” The “designated
2. Size, count and/or net weight (50 count, 32 number” usually corresponds to a standard size
pounds, etc.) range of the fruit or vegetables. For example, if you
are packing melons as “18s,” you cannot put six
3. Grade (U.S. Fancy, U.S. #1, etc.)
extra-large melons into a container with 12 extra-
4. Packer/grower/shipper (name and address) small melons and label it as a carton of “18s.”
5. Packing date (1-23-91, etc.) A different type of count is used most com-
monly with tomatoes packed in two-layer boxes
6. Quality assurance or control code (harvest
(lugs). They are labeled as 4×4, 4×5, 5×5, 6×6, etc. A
date information, bin number, packing
6×6 lug indicates that the box has six rows of six
time, packer number, inspector number,
tomatoes in each layer—36 tomatoes in each layer—
gassing room number for tomatoes or
with a total of 72 tomatoes per lug, which should
honeydew melons, etc.)
weigh about 20 to 25 pounds.
It is most important to label the end of the
Other crops are labeled by size, usually
container; this part of the box will be most visible
diameter. For example, a container may be labeled
when containers are stacked. The first four items let
21⁄4-inch peaches.
the buyer know who, what and how much. The last
two items help with quality assurance or control of Containers may also have minimum weight
the produce. If there are problems, a quality assur- ranges. Bulk or loose packaging may have a mini-
ance code system will help find the source of the mum weight range to compensate for slight differ-
problem. ences in the produce. Containers are often over-
filled to offset weight losses during handling,
storage and transit. Precise container weights are
Grades and Sizes
usually found in wholesale produce containers that
Besides having a specific size container, each are packaged with individual 1- to 5-pound bags
crop is packed to a uniform grade and size. The for retail sales, called “consumer packs.” Individual
grades are set by the U.S. Department of Agricul- consumer packs within a wholesale container also
ture or by states. Individual states are often more are used with volume units. Berry fruits are the
strict than USDA standards. Most buyers want at most common example where 12 to 24 half-pint,
least U.S. Grade No. 1 or better. The difference pint or quart boxes are packed in a flat or carton.
between No. 1 and lower grades is the percentage The wholesale box containing consumer packs is
of fruits or vegetables that do not pass the grade called a “master.”
standards. The USDA publishes leaflets with grade
standards for most crops. Single copies are free
Conclusions
from:
Washing, drying, sorting, grading and packing
Fresh Products Branch
crops into the right container is a good start, but it
Agricultural Marketing Service
will not be good enough for most wholesale buyers
Fruits and Vegetable Division
and brokers. The packed produce must be at a
U.S. Department of Agriculture
proper storage temperature when it is delivered
P.O. Box 96456, Room 2056-South Bldg.
before most buyers will accept it. Ideally, the
Washington, D.C. 20090-6456
produce should be precooled rapidly to storage
Sizing is an important part of packing a crop temperature before or after packing. Precooling will
“right.” The buyer wants a container with uni- ensure the longest produce shelf life. Packed and
formly sized fruits and vegetables, and also wants precooled produce must be stored at optimum
them labeled appropriately. Size may be designated storage temperatures until it is delivered to the buyer.

3
 For more information on optimum storage Brussels Sprouts—Brussels sprouts are packaged
conditions (temperature and relative humidity) for in 25-pound bulk-pack cartons, or in flats holding
specific crops, read K-State Research and Extension 12 10-ounce consumer-ready cups. They should be
Bulletin MF-978, Postharvest Management of Commer- greater than 1 inch and no more than 2 3⁄4 inches in
cial Horticultural Crops: Storage Conditions—Fruits diameter.
and Vegetables.
Cabbage—Cabbage is sold by weight, in bulk or 50-
pound sacks or cartons. Packages are labeled with
VEGETABLES
head size: Small=less than 2 pounds, Medium=2 to
Asparagus—Asparagus is sold by weight in the 5 pounds, and Large=greater than 5 pounds.
standard containers listed in Table 1. Spears may be Sometimes head size is given as the number of
loose-packed, or bundled vertically in pyramid heads in a 50-pound container.
crates. Vertical packing keeps the spears straight.
Carrots, bunched or topped—When carrots are
Spears are sized by diameter and must be at least
5 bunched with the tops left on, the bunches must
⁄16 inch in diameter to be sold. USDA size grades
weigh more than 1 pound and contain at least
are:
4 carrots. They are packed 24 bunches to a crate.
Small = 5⁄16 inch to less than 8⁄16 inch diameter Topped carrots are packed in consumer-ready
Medium =8⁄16 inch to less than 11⁄16 inch diameter 1- or 2-pound poly bags that are packed in
Large = 11⁄16 inch to less than 14⁄16 inch diameter 48-pound units. Carrots also are packed loose in
Very Large = 14⁄16 inch and up diameter bulk containers.
Beans, snap—Snap beans are sold by weight and Cauliflower—Cauliflower is usually packed in a
bulk-packed in bushel hampers and cartons. They flat or 2-layer carton of 9 to 16 trimmed and film-
are sized by diameter. wrapped heads. A size designation is usually given
that corresponds to the number of heads in the
Sieve size Diameter (to but not including)
carton. The number 9 heads are larger than number
12
No.1 = ⁄64 – 14.5⁄64 inch 16s.
14.5
No.2 = ⁄64 – 18.5⁄64 inch Corn, sweet—Sweet corn is packed with 5-dozen
18.5 21 ears in cartons or wirebound crates. It is also
No.3 = ⁄64 – ⁄64 inch
packed in bags.
21
No.4 = ⁄64 – 24⁄64 inch
Cucumbers—Cucumbers are most often packed in
24
No.5 = ⁄64 – 27⁄64 inch 11⁄9 bushel cartons. Size is based on diameter and
27 length. Small cucumbers have diameters between 1⁄2
No.6 and larger = ⁄64 inch and larger
and 2 inches. Large cucumbers have diameters
U.S. No.1 grade snap beans must have a greater than 21⁄4 inches and lengths longer than 6
maximum sieve size of 4; U.S. No.2 has no upper inches. If cucumbers are packed in smaller cartons,
limit. Both have a minimum diameter of 12⁄64 inch. they are sold by count packs.
Beets, bunched or topped—Beets are sold by Cucumbers, greenhouse—Greenhouse cucumbers
weight and packed in the containers given in Table are packed in smaller cartons than field-grown
1. They are usually sold bunched with 12 beets per cucumbers. They have a carton weight of 12 or 16
bundle with tops attached, or loose with tops pounds, and often are plastic-wrapped (shrink-
trimmed short or removed. Short-trimmed tops wrapped) to prevent water loss.
cannot be more than 4 inches long; topped beets
Eggplant—Eggplants packed in 20- to 23-pound
cannot be more than 1⁄2 inch in length.
cartons are packed 18 to 24 per carton. Size is
Broccoli—Broccoli is usually sold in cartons hold- designated by number per container.
ing 14 and sometimes 18 individual heads, or
Garlic—Garlic is packed in bulk or in a carton
bunches of stems of uniform size. Cartons weigh 20
containing consumer-ready packages of 2 bulbs
to 24 pounds.
each. Bulk-packed garlic is sized.

4
 Garlic size designations Diameter in inches Oriental Vegetables—Leafy and head-type oriental
15 vegetables are often bunched and packed into
#11 Super-Colossal 2 ⁄16 and up
standard containers.
#10 Colossal 211⁄16 – 215⁄16
#9 Super-Jumbo 27⁄16 – 211⁄16 Ornamental Gourds—There are no USDA grade
#8 Extra-Jumbo 23⁄16 – 27⁄16 standards; handling will depend on the buyer.
#7 Jumbo 115⁄16 – 23⁄16 Gourds are often sold by weight and packed in
#6 Giant 113⁄16 – 115⁄16 bulk bins, or sold like miniature pumpkins, 40
#5 Tube 111⁄16 – 111⁄16 pounds in 1⁄2- to 5⁄8-bushel crates.
#4 Medium Tube 19⁄16 – 111⁄16
Peas, green and snow—Peas are packed in stan-
Greens—Greens include collards, dandelion dard size containers as outlined in Table 1. They are
greens, kale, mustard greens and Swiss chard. They sold by standard weight of the filled container.
are packed either loose or in bunches, 12 to 24 per
Pepper—Bell peppers are packed by size into stan-
carton.
dard containers that have a specific filled weight.
Herbs—There are no USDA standards for most Sizes are small, medium, large and extra large.
herbs, and few industry standards for packing
Chili peppers have no official standards for size
containers. Most herbs are packed in airtight bags
and count. Standard packing containers are covered
to prevent wilting. They are packed in bulk, or in
in Table 1.
bunches of 6, 12 or 30 per container. It is best to
work closely with the buyer when packing herbs. Potatoes—Potatoes are packaged by size and by
count per 50 pounds.
Lettuce: romaine, big Boston, bibb, leaf—These
leafy types of lettuce are most commonly packed in Potato size designation Diameter (inches)
cartons of 24 heads.
Size A 17⁄8 and up
1
Melons: casaba, crenshaw, honeydew, musk- Size B ⁄2 to 21⁄4
melon—Melons of uniform size are packed in Small 13⁄4 to 21⁄2
various size boxes. Muskmelons are packed in Medium 21⁄4 to 31⁄4
containers that can range from 38- to 41-pound half- Large 3 to 41⁄4
cartons to 80- to 85-pound jumbo crates. Honey-
Potato count Approximate tuber
dews are usually packed in 30- to 40-pound cartons.
weight (ounces)
The other specialty melons are packed in 25- to 35-
pound cartons. Under 50 15
50 12–19
Okra—Okra is packed in various size containers
60 10–16
which have a standard packed weight. Okra is
70 9–15
usually sold by weight.
80 8–13
Onions—Dry onions are sold by weight, but are 90 7–12
packed in standard weight containers and packed 100 6–10
to a uniform size. Size is determined by diameter. 110 5–9
120 4–8
Onion bulb size designation Diameter in inches
130 4–8
Small 1 to 21⁄4 140 4–8
Repackers or Prepackers 13⁄4 to 3 (60% or over 140 4–8
more 2 inches)
Pumpkins—Jack o’lantern and processing pump-
Medium 2 to 31⁄2
kins are shipped in bulk or in bulk bins. Eating
Large or Jumbo 3 or greater
pumpkins (small pie types) may be packed in
Green onions are bunched and packed 24 or 48 crates, cabbage cartons or sacks. Standard weight
bunches per container, depending on size. Green for these smaller packs is 40 or 50 pounds. Minia-
onions can be sized by diameter: Small=less than 1⁄2 ture pumpkins are packed in 1⁄2- to 5⁄8-bushel crates
inch, Medium=1⁄2 to 1 inch, and Large=over 1 inch. with a standard weight of 40 pounds.

5
Radishes—Radishes are packed topped or bunched Sweet potato Diameter Length Weight
with tops. Bunched radishes must be uniformly U.S. Grade (inches) (inches) (ounces)
sized within the bunch. Sizes are: Small = 1⁄2 to 3⁄4
U.S. Extra No.1 13⁄4 - 31⁄4 3-9 < 18
inch diameter, Medium = 3⁄4 to 1 inch diameter,
U.S. No.1 13⁄4 - 31⁄2 3-9 < 20
Large = 1 to 1⁄4 inch diameter, and Very Large over
1 U.S. No.2 < 1 1⁄2 —— < 36
⁄4 inch diameter.
Tomatoes—Cherry tomatoes are sold in flats
Rhubarb—Rhubarb is often packed in cartons or
holding 12, 1-pint boxes or baskets. They are
lugs of 20 pounds. U.S. grade standards have
usually picked vine-ripe.
guidelines on length and diameter.
Plum tomatoes are usually packed in quart
Rhubarb Grades Diameter Length
boxes or baskets, eight to a carton. They are also
U.S. Fancy > 1 inch > 10 inches picked vine-ripe.
U.S. No.1 > 3⁄4 inch > 10 inches
Mature green tomatoes are sold in bulk-packed
U.S. No.2 > 1⁄2 inch > 10 inches
cartons, holding approximately 25 pounds. They
Rutabaga—Rutabagas are packed in 25- or 50-pound are sorted by size. Size designation is based on the
sacks or cartons, packed topped and usually waxed. number of tomatoes (in rows and columns) in a
They must be greater than 13⁄4 inches in diameter. layer on a standard two-layer tomato lug.
Spinach—Spinach can be packaged loose in bulk, Pink and vine-ripe tomatoes are usually packed
loose in consumer-ready packages, or bunched. by uniform size in a two-layer lug or tray pack.
Bunched spinach is usually packed 24 bunches to a They have softened enough that bulk packing
20- to 22-pound carton. Cartons holding 10-ounce causes too much bruising.
consumer-ready plastic bags are packed 12 to a
Size designation of tomatoes
carton.
Name Size Inches
Squash
(min.) (max.)
Winter squash includes green and gold Table Maximum
Queen (acorn), turban, delicata, butternut, sweet Large 4 × 5 and up 315⁄32 and up
dumpling, kabocha, golden nugget, buttercup, Extra Large 5 × 5 and 5 × 6 228⁄32 315⁄32
delicious, orange marrow, hubbard, banana, sweet Large 6×6 217⁄32 228⁄32
meat, Mediterranean and calabaza. Winter squash Medium 6×7 29⁄32 217⁄32
is usually packed in bulk bins or smaller 40- to 50- Small 7×7 27⁄32 29⁄32
pound crates, and sold by weight. Extra Small 7×8 128⁄32 24⁄32
Summer squash includes zucchini, cocozelle, Turnips—Turnips are packed bunched with tops,
chayote, scallopini, yellow crookneck, yellow with tops short-trimmed, or topped. Packing
straightneck and sunburst. Summer squash is containers and weight requirements differ for each
packed in a variety of containers with standard type of pack. Topped turnips are bulk-packed in
minimum weight requirements. It is also sized by mesh or poly film bags or bushel baskets, or packed
small and medium categories. in consumer-ready 1-pound plastic bags, 24 bags to
Sweet Potatoes—Sweet potatoes are packed in a carton. Turnips with tops are usually bunched
containers that hold 40 or 50 pounds. U.S. grade and packed in wirebound crates or bushel baskets,
standards cover the requirements for different and have a required minimum weight of 25
sizes. pounds.
Watermelon—Watermelons are sold by weight and
usually in bulk bins. Prices are quoted per hundred-
weight.

6
FRUITS 4. Pieces per layer or tray = Number of fruit
per layer or tray.
Apples — Apples are packed by count and weight.
Apples sold by weight are usually packaged in 5. Layers = Number of layers or trays per
consumer-ready 3-pound poly bags, 12 bags per carton or box.
carton. The apples are uniformly sized.
6. Size = Minimum fruit diameter for given
Apples are also sold by count, which is the count.
number of apples of a certain diameter/size that
7. Paper = Size of wrapping papers if fruit is
will fit into a standard bushel carton. The larger the
to be individually wrapped.
apple, the fewer per carton, so the lower the num-
ber designation. Apples can be bulk- or volume- Apricots—Apricots are sold by count and weight.
filled into a carton, or place-packed into tray or cell When bulk- or volume-filled into 24-pound lugs,
packs in a carton. Tray or cell packs reduce the apricots are sold by weight. The size is designated
amount of injury to the fruit, but cost more because by diameter in inches, or by jumbo, large, extra
the tray and cell inserts must be purchased. Follow- large, etc. When the fruit is tray-packed, it is given a
ing is a summary of the fruit count and size, and count number, and price is based on that number.
packing arrangement for apples.
Berries—Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and
strawberries are sold by volume in half-pints, pints
and quarts. They are usually packed 12 (or some-
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
times 24) to a single layer crate, flat or box. Blueber-
Count Pack No. Pieces Layers Size Paper
ries can be labeled by size. The standard used is the
row per layer inches size
number of fruit per pint.
216 3×3 6×6 36 6 2 1⁄8 9"
Extra large = Fewer than 90 berries per
198 3×3 6×5 33 6 2 1⁄4 9"
standard pint
175 3×3 6×7 35 5 2 3⁄8 9"
Large = 90–129 berries per standard pint
163 3×2 6×7 33–32 5 21⁄2 9"
Medium = 130–189 berries per standard pint
150 3×2 6×6 30 5 2 5⁄8 10"
Small = 190–250 berries per standard pint
138 3×2 6×5 28–27 5 2 3⁄4 10"
125 3×2 5×5 25 5 2 7⁄8 10" Cherries—Sweet cherries are bulk- or volume-filled
113 3×2 5×4 23–22 5 3 10" into lugs that hold 18 to 20 pounds. The lugs are
100 3×2 4×4 20 5 3 1⁄8 11" often lined with polyethylene (plastic) bags to
88 3×2 4×5 22 4 3 1⁄4 11" preserve quality. Sweet cherries can be sorted by
80 2×2 5×5 20 4 3 3⁄8 11" size. Fresh sour cherries are rarely seen in retail
72 2×2 5×4 18 4 3 1⁄2 12" markets, except near production areas. They are
64 2×2 4×4 16 4 3 5⁄8 12" very perishable, and most go to processors close to
56 2×2 3×4 14 4 3 3⁄4 12" the production areas. There are no standard packs
48 2×2 3×3 12 4 3 7⁄8 12" for sour cherries.
Grapes—Grapes are typically sold by weight in
23-pound lugs. Eastern or American type grapes
1. Count = Number of apples per carton or
are often sold by volume, in cartons filled with
box.
12, 1-quart containers packed similar to berries.
2. Pack = Add the two numbers to get the
Nectarines—Nectarines are sold by count of
number of rows per tray or layer.
uniformly sized fruit in a bulk- or volume-filled
3. Number per rows = 1st number is the lug, or a two-layer tray pack. The volume-filled lug
number of fruit in 1st, 3rd and 5th rows in must be at least 25 pounds, and the tray-pack
the layer/tray. 2nd number is the number averages 221⁄2 pounds. Size designations range from
of fruit in the 2nd, 4th and 6th rows in the the larger 50 size (number per lug) to the smaller 84
layer/tray. size.

7
Peaches—Peaches are usually sold by weight and References
sometimes by count. Shipping containers are
Hardenburg, R.E., A.E. Watada and C.Y. Wang.
packed with uniformly sized fruit, usually desig-
1986. The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables and
nated by diameter in inches. They are packed bulk-
Florist and Nursery Stocks. USDA-ARS Agriculture
or volume-filled, or in tray-packs. If fruit is ranch-
Handbook #66 (revised) 136p.
packed, then tray-packing is used to protect the
softer fruit from bruising. Kadar, A.A., R.F. Kasmire, F.G. Mitchell, M.S. Reid,
N.F. Sommer, and J.F. Thompson. 1985. Postharvest
Pears—Pears are usually sold by count in bulk- or
Technology of Horticultural Crops. Cooperative
volume-filled cartons, wrapped in bulk- or volume-
Extension University of California, Division of
filled cartons, or tray-packed in lugs. The greater
Agriculture and Natural Resources Special Publica-
the count number, the smaller the fruit size. Each
tion #3311. Oakland, CA.
carton must contain uniformly sized fruit.
Lorenz, O.A. and D.N. Maynard. 1988. Knott’s
Plums and Fresh Prunes—Plums and fresh prunes
Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 3rd ed. Wiley
are usually sold by weight of bulk- or volume-filled
Interscience, New York.
half-bushel lugs, with a minimum weight of 28
pounds. Fruit size is designated as 3×4, 6×6, 5×5, 1990 Produce Availability and Merchandising
etc. These designations originated with an old Guide. The Packer. Vance Publishing Corp. Over-
4-basket crate pack. The numbers designate the land Park , KS.
number of rows and columns in the top layer of the
Ryall, A.L. and W.J. Lipton. 1979. Handling,
baskets. A 3×4 lug would have larger fruit than a
Transportation and Storage of Fruits and Vegetables,
6×6 lug.
Volume 1, 2nd ed. Vegetables and Melons. AVI
Publishing Co., Westport, CN.
Definitions
Ryall, A.L. and W.T. Pentzer. 1974. Handling,
Box or carton—Usually refers to a corrugated
Transportation and Storage of Fruits and Vegetables,
fiberboard container. It may be a two-piece tele-
Volume 2. Fruits and Tree Nuts. AVI Publishing
scoping box, or a carton that closes with top flaps.
Co., Westport, CN.
The contents can be place-packed with liners and
layer dividers, or bulk-filled.
Containers and Packaging
Crate—Usually refers to a wooden, wirebound
Adelman-Fisher Packaging
container. These are usually bulk-filled to a desired
207 Walnut Street
weight or, in the case of sweet corn, filled with
Kansas City, MO 64106
5-dozen ears.
Aargus Poly Bag Co.
Flat—Usually refers to a container that is place-
1415 Redeker Rd.
packed in one or two layers, depending on the crop.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Flats are also used to package produce that are
(312) 356-3341
packed in half-pint, pint and quart consumer-ready
containers. Liberty Carton Co.
Agri-Pack Div.
Lug—Usually refers to a container that is place-
870 Louisiana Ave.
packed in two or three layers, depending on the
Minneapolis, MN 55425
crop. Lugs can also be bulk-filled. They are made of
(612) 540-9615
wood, corrugated fiberboard, or a combination of
both. Standard dimensions are 161⁄8 × 131⁄4 inches Allied Fastener Corp.
with varying depths. 133 N. 25th Ave.
Melrose Park, IL 60521
(312) 345-0063

8
Alton Packaging Corp. Love Box Company, Inc.
401 Alton St. 3380 Centennial Road
Alton, IL 62002 Salina, KS 67401
(618) 466-6552 (785) 823-7354
Anderson Box Co. Pacific States Box and Basket Co.
Park Fletcher Station (berry boxes; baskets)
Box 41264 1295 S. Los Angeles St.
Indianapolis, IN 46241 Glendale, CA 91209
(317) 248-8086 (213) 245-5711
Chesmore Seed Company Package Research Laboratory
1302 S. 4th Street 2406 Shooting Park Rd.
St. Joseph, MO 64501 Peru, IL 61354
(816) 279-0865 (815) 223-7700
Cordage Packaging Packaging Corp. of America
8112 W. Thomas St., Apt. 3 1603 Orrington
Justice, IL 60458 Evanston, IL 60204
(312) 496-3152 (312) 492-6956
Fresh-PAK Ridge Pallets, Inc.
P.O. Box 256 (Bulk bins, pallets)
Stevensville, MI 49127 P.O. Box 819
(616) 429-3295 Bartow, FL 33830
(813) 533-1147
International Paper Co.
635 Northwest Ave. Rockford Package Supply, Inc.
Northlake, IL 60164 10421 Northland Drive
(312) 562-6900 Rockford, MI 49341
800-444-7225 or (616) 866-0143
Jacksonsville Box & Woodwork Co., Inc.
(tomato lugs) Smalley Package Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 3447 (bulk bins, pallets, baskets)
Jacksonville, FL 32206 P.O. Box 231
(904) 354-1442 Berryville, VA 22611
(703) 955-2550

9
Table 1. Standard size and net weights of
common containers used for fresh vegetables.

Approximate Approximate
Vegetable Container net weight (lb.) Vegetable Container net weight (lb.)

Eggplant Carton packed 18s and 24s 20–23

Asparagus Pyramid crate 30–36 Bushel carton, 11⁄9-bushel
Half pyramid crate or carton 15–17 carton or wirebound crate 30–35
Carton holding 16, 11⁄2-lb. pkgs. 24–25
Garlic Carton or crate, bulk 20
Bean, snap Bushel crate hamper, or basket 28–32 Carton or crate, bulk 30
Carton 20–22 Carton of 12 pkgs. of 2 bulbs ea. 10

Beet Greens Bushel basket, crate, carton 20–25

Bunched 12⁄5-bushel crate, 24s 36–40 12⁄5 or 12⁄5 bushel, crate or
4 carton 30–35
⁄5-bushel crate, 12s 15–20
Topped Sacked, as marked 25–50
Herbs, Fresh Bulk, bunched-packed 6,
Broccoli Carton holding 14–18 bunches 20–24 12, or 30 per carton. Varies

Brussels Carton 25 Lettuce

Sprouts Carton holding 12 10-oz. cups 71⁄2–8 Romaine 11⁄9 bushel wirebound crate 20–25
Big Boston Carton & eastern carton holding
Cabbage Sack, crate or carton 50–55 24 heads 20–24
Bibb Carton 5–8
Carrot Leaf Carton 10–13
Bunched Carton holding 2 dz. bunches 23–27
Topped 48, 1-lb. or 24, 2-lb. bags in Melon
master container 48 Casaba Carton, bliss style, packed
Mesh bag, loose or as marked 25–55 4, 5, 6 or 8 32–34
Crenshaw Carton, bliss style, packed
Cauliflower Flat or 2-layer carton holding 4, 5, 6 or 8 30–33
9–16 trimmed heads 18–24 Honeydew Flat crate standard 40
Long Island type crate 45–55
1
Muskmelon ⁄2-carton or crate packed
Chinese 12, 15, 18, 23 35–40
Cabbage 151⁄2-in. wirebound crate 50–53 Jumbo crate packed 18 to 45 70–80
2
11⁄9-bushel wirebound crate 40–45 ⁄3-carton packed 15, 18, 24, 30 53–55

Corn, sweet Wirebound crate 41⁄2–5 dz. 42–50 Watermelon Bulk bin, medium size 1,400–1,800
Sacks 35–40 Carton holding 3–5 melons 65–80

Cucumber Bushel carton or wirebound Okra Bushel hamper or crate 30

5
crate 50–55 ⁄9-bushel crate 18
11⁄9-bushel carton or Carton 18
wirebound 50–55 12-qt. basket 15–18
Los Angeles lug 28–32
Onion
Cucumber, Carton holding 1-layer pack 8–10 Dry Sack 50
Greenhouse Carton 16 Sack 25
Carton holding 15, 3-lb. bags 45
Carton holding 20, 2-lb. bags 40

10
 Approximate Approximate
Vegetable Container net weight (lb.) Vegetable Container net weight (lb.)

Green Carton/crate holding 4 dz. Spinach Carton or wirebound crate holding

bunches 15–25 2 dozen bunches 20–22
Carton/crate holding 2 dz. Carton holding 12, 10-oz. film bags 71⁄2–8
bunches 20 Bushel basket or crate 20–25
Carton 13
Squash
Pearl Carton holding 12, 10-oz. Winter 11⁄9-bushel crate 40–50
containers 8 Bulk bin carton, collapsible
and reusable 800–900
Oriental Various bulk bins 900–2,000
Vegetable Lug 25–28 Summer 5
⁄9-bushel crate or carton 21
Crate 75–80 1
⁄2-bushel basket or carton 21
Carton 20–22
Carton or Los Angeles lug 24–28
Wirebound crate 45 3
⁄4-lug 18–22
Ornamental 11⁄9-bushel crate 42–45
1
Gourds ⁄2- to 5⁄8-bushel crate 40
Sweet Potato Carton, crate or bushel basket 50
Bulk or Bulk bins 900–1200
Carton, California 40
Pea
Tomato
Green Bushel basket or wirebound crate 28–32
Cherry Carton holding 12 pints 16–18
Snow pea Carton 10
Mature green Carton 25
Pinks & ripes 2-layer flat, carton
Pepper
or tray pack 20
Green Bushel carton 25–30
3-layer lug or carton 30
11⁄9-bushel wirebound crate 25–30
Carton, loose pack 20
Chili Carton 27–34
Lugs or carton, loose pack 16–25
Turnip
Topped Film bag 25
Potato 100-lb. sack 100
Film & mesh bag or bushel basket 50
50-lb. sack or carton 50
Carton holding 24, 1-lb. film bags 24
20-lb. film or paper bags 20
5, 10-lb. film or paper bags 50
10, 5-lb. film or paper bags 50

Pumpkin Bulk Semi-load

Bulk bins 900–1,200
11⁄9-bushel crate 40 or 50
1
⁄2- to 5⁄8-bushel crate 40

Radish
Bunched Carton holding 4-dz. bunches 25
Topped Carton holding 24, 8-oz. film bags 12
Carton holding 30, 6-oz. film bags 11–12

Rhubarb Carton or lug 20

Carton 5

Rutabaga Bag or carton 25

Sack or carton 50

11
Table 2. Standard size and net weights of common containers used for fresh fruits.

Capacity Net
Commodity Container cu. in. weight (lb)

Apples Tray pack carton 2,880 40–45

Bushel carton
(face and fill) 2,150 40–44
Carton, cell pack — 36–38
Carton, tray pack 2,785 41–43
Northwest wood box 2,174 41–43
Apricots Lug 630 14 min.
Lug 1,449 28 min.
Berries 24 qt. wirebound crate 1,613 27–36
24 qt. wirebound crate 806 13–18
12 pt. tray 403 7–9
Cherries, Wood lug (face and fill) 610 15 min.
Sweet Wood lug (loose) 870 20 min.
Grapes Wood lug or carton 1,250 26–28
12 qt. basket, eastern grapes 806 18
Nectarines Wood box 778 18
Carton 1,066 25
4-basket crate 1,286 29
3
Peaches ⁄4-bu. basket (bulge) 1,613 36–39
1
⁄2-bu. basket (flat) 1,075 24–26
Wirebound crate 1,820 38–42
Wood lug 1,250 22–24
Pears Standard wood box 1,760 44–46
Wood lug 880 21–24
Plums and L.A. wood lug 1,252 27–32
Fresh Prunes 4-basket crate 1,070 25–27
Northwest prune lug 532 12–14
1
⁄2-bu. basket 1,075 25–32

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended,
nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.
Publications from Kansas State University are available on the World Wide Web at: [Link]
Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit
Karen L. B. Gast, Containers and Packaging Fruits & Vegetables, Kansas State University, March 1991.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
MF-979 March 1991
It is the policy of Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service that all persons shall have equal
opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and materials without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
age or disability. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity organization. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May
8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of
Agriculture Cooperating, Marc A. Johnson, Director.
File code: Horticulture—11 (commercial) 12 3-91—2M; 3-98—300