Quick Answer: The main garlic export packaging options are 10kg mesh bags (most popular for Africa/SEA), 20kg mesh bags (bulk trade), 10kg cartons (Middle East/Europe retail), 20kg cartons (large volume), and 30lb mesh bags (Americas). Mesh bags allow ~28MT per 40HQ container, while cartons reduce capacity to 25-26MT. Custom private label packaging is also available.
Packaging is one of the most important decisions in the garlic export process. It affects not only the product's appearance and protection during transit but also the total loading capacity, shipping cost per metric ton, and target market acceptance. The right packaging choice can save you thousands of dollars per container while ensuring your garlic arrives in optimal condition.
Chinese garlic exporters offer a range of standardized packaging options designed for different markets, along with custom solutions for buyers who need private label or retail-ready packaging. This guide covers every option in detail to help you make an informed decision.
Standard Packaging Options
10kg Mesh Bag — The Industry Standard
The 10kg mesh bag is the most widely used packaging for garlic export from China. It is the default choice for African and Southeast Asian markets and accounts for over 60% of all garlic export packaging. The mesh bag is made from food-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) mesh, which provides excellent breathability while containing the garlic securely.
Specifications
- Net weight: 10 kg per bag
- Material: Food-grade HDPE or PP mesh, red or white color
- Mesh size: 5mm x 5mm or 8mm x 8mm hole openings
- Bag dimensions: Approximately 55cm x 75cm (varies by fill level)
- Label: Product name, size, net weight, origin, supplier name
- Units per 40HQ: ~2,800 bags (28MT)
Why 10kg? The 10kg bag size is optimized for manual handling. At 10kg, a single worker can lift, carry, and stack bags efficiently without fatigue. Larger bags (20kg+) require two-person handling or mechanical assistance, increasing loading time and labor cost. The 10kg size is also ideal for wholesale distribution — it can be sold directly to market vendors without repacking.
20kg Mesh Bag — Bulk Trade Efficiency
The 20kg mesh bag is used for bulk trade where the garlic will be repacked at the destination into smaller units. It uses the same food-grade mesh material as the 10kg bag but in a larger format. The primary advantage is reduced packaging cost per kilogram — fewer bags mean less material, less labeling, and faster packing. This format is popular with importers who operate their own repacking facilities.
- Net weight: 20 kg per bag
- Units per 40HQ: ~1,400 bags (28MT)
- Best for: Importers with repacking facilities, wholesale distributors
- Handling note: Bags weighing 20kg require careful manual handling or forklift assistance
10kg Carton — Premium Retail Packaging
The 10kg carton is the packaging of choice for Middle Eastern and European markets where garlic is sold through modern retail channels. Cartons provide superior product protection, stack neatly on pallets, and offer excellent branding opportunities through printed outer designs. The rigid structure prevents compression damage during transit and storage, making cartons ideal for long-distance shipping of premium-grade garlic.
Carton Specifications
- Net weight: 10 kg per carton
- Material: 5-ply or 7-ply corrugated board (350-400g/m²)
- Dimensions: Typically 42cm x 28cm x 18cm (varies by garlic size)
- Ventilation: 4-6 ventilation holes (20mm diameter) per carton
- Printing: 1-4 color flexographic printing on outer surface
- Units per 40HQ: ~2,500-2,600 cartons (25-26MT)
20kg Carton — Maximum Protection for Large Volumes
The 20kg carton is used for large-volume shipments that require maximum product protection. It is the preferred format for industrial buyers, food processing companies, and importers serving high-end retail chains. The larger carton size reduces per-kilogram packaging cost compared to 10kg cartons while maintaining the structural protection that cartons provide.
- Net weight: 20 kg per carton
- Material: 5-ply or 7-ply corrugated board
- Units per 40HQ: ~1,250 cartons (25MT)
- Best for: Industrial buyers, food service, premium retail chains
30lb Mesh Bag — Americas Standard
The 30lb (13.6kg) mesh bag is specifically designed for the North and South American markets, where the imperial weight system is still widely used in produce trade. This packaging format meets the expectations of American produce distributors and retail chains that price garlic by the pound rather than the kilogram.
- Net weight: 30 lb (13.6 kg) per bag
- Material: Food-grade HDPE mesh, typically red or white
- Label: Bilingual (English/Spanish) for North American market
- Units per 40HQ: ~2,000 bags (27MT)
- Primary markets: USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Peru
Custom Packaging Solutions
For importers who want to build their own brand, ExCrop offers a full range of custom packaging solutions. Custom packaging helps differentiate your product in competitive markets, builds brand recognition, and can significantly increase retail shelf appeal and profit margins.
Private Label Mesh Bags
We can print your company logo, brand name, and product information directly on mesh bags using food-grade ink. Private label mesh bags are available in all standard sizes (10kg, 20kg, 30lb) and in custom colors. Minimum order: 1 x 40HQ container. Production lead time: 2-3 days additional for printing setup.
Branded Cartons
Custom-printed cartons with your brand design, product photography, nutritional information, and barcode. Available in 1-4 color printing. We work with you to design the carton layout or use your existing artwork. Branded cartons are especially effective for Middle Eastern and European retail markets where shelf presentation drives sales.
Retail Pre-Packs (250g-1kg)
For supermarket chains and retail distributors, we offer retail-ready pre-packaging in small consumer sizes: 250g, 500g, 750g, and 1kg. These pre-packs use food-grade mesh bags or printed film bags with barcode, and are packed into master cartons (10-20 pre-packs per master carton) for efficient distribution. This option eliminates the need for repacking at destination, saving you time and labor cost.
Brand Building: Custom packaging transforms garlic from a commodity into a branded product. Importers who invest in private label packaging typically achieve 15-30% higher retail prices compared to unbranded garlic, with the packaging cost increase being only $0.02-0.05 per kilogram.
How Packaging Affects Container Loading Capacity
The choice between mesh bags and cartons has a direct impact on how much garlic you can fit in a container. Understanding this relationship is crucial for optimizing your shipping cost per metric ton.
The 2-3MT reduction with cartons is due to the rigid carton walls creating air gaps between cartons and limiting stacking height. However, cartons provide better protection, reduce damage rates, and enable palletized loading — which can reduce unloading time at destination by 60-70%. The choice between mesh bags and cartons should be based on your market requirements, not just on loading capacity alone.
Packaging Material Requirements
All garlic export packaging must meet strict material requirements to ensure food safety, product protection, and compliance with international trade regulations.
Mesh Bag Requirements
- Food-grade material: HDPE or PP resin certified for food contact
- Breathability: Mesh hole size 5-10mm to ensure adequate air circulation
- Tensile strength: Must withstand 20kg load without tearing or stretching
- UV stabilization: Added to prevent degradation during outdoor handling
- Ink safety: Any printing must use food-grade, non-toxic ink
Carton Requirements
- Corrugated board: 5-ply or 7-ply for adequate compression strength (350-400g/m²)
- Ventilation holes: 4-6 holes of 20mm diameter per carton for airflow
- Food-grade adhesive: Water-based, non-toxic adhesive for carton assembly
- Stacking strength: Must support 5-7 layers of stacked cartons without deformation
- Moisture resistance: Carton must maintain structural integrity under cold chain humidity (65-70% RH)
Compliance Note: Packaging materials must comply with the food contact regulations of the destination country. The EU requires compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, the USA requires FDA compliance, and ASEAN countries have their own food contact standards. ExCrop ensures all packaging materials meet these requirements — request compliance documentation when placing your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
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ExCrop offers all standard packaging options plus custom private label solutions. Tell us your market and branding needs.
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