Which green coffee bag size should you use based on where you are?

Green coffee bag sizes can vary from country to country based on the quantity of coffee, a nation’s production demands, and a roaster’s storage facilities. These fluctuations are often dictated by local tradition, producer output, and the quantity of green coffee purchased by roasters.

While many specialty coffee producers and exporters use the industry-standard 69kg jute bag, green coffee bag sizes can range from 30kg up to one-tonne sacks. As specialty coffee evolves and demands shift due to rising C prices and supply issues, this can impact the size of green coffee packaging.

To learn more, I spoke to Ed Kaufmann, Trader and Quality Control Manager at InterAmerican Coffee. It is a green coffee importer based in New Jersey, United States. Read on for his insights into the different sizes of green coffee packaging in producing countries.

Why does green coffee bag size vary?

The industry standard green coffee bag size is between 69kg and 70kg in capacity. However, certain producing regions vary their coffee bag size based on output, roaster demands, and other external factors.

For instance, Colombia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, with over 300,000 smallholders, and typically exports in 70kg jute bags. On the other hand, Brazil produces more commodity coffee and primarily exports in 59-60kg bags. “I think it’s just the way they’ve done it forever,” says Ed. These fluctuations span the globe, too. “Most of the African countries do 60kg,” he adds.

While green coffee bag size is standard for many producers, there have been recent changes. For example, some Central American countries have reduced their green coffee bag size to ease the physical strain on workers. For example, Ed has observed a shift from 69kg to 60kg bags to make handling them more manageable. “It’s a very considerate move to help people not push their physical abilities to the limit,” he explains.

On the other end of the spectrum, some commercial and commodity-focused exporters use a much larger green coffee bag size. Ed highlights the “one metric tonne sacks,” which hold over 2,200 pounds of coffee, as an example. These are favoured by large-scale roasters who have the warehouse space and infrastructure to manage them. A positive benefit of these bags is the reduction in waste and packaging costs, as they require fewer bags for each shipment.

Therefore, producers and exporters working in high-volume regions like Colombia should use 69kg green coffee bags. In other regions, however, smaller capacities may be more suitable.

How producers can adapt their green coffee bag size

For coffee farmers and exporters, the key to being competitive is to understand the trends and needs that drive roasters when purchasing green coffee. One way to accommodate the fluctuation of green coffee bag size is by offering flexible packaging options. For example, jute bags and hermetic green coffee bags come in 30kg and 69kg sizes to accommodate a range of demands.

Equally, it is important for producers and exporters to openly communicate with roaster partners. This allows them to adapt to any sudden shifts in order quantities and fosters closer relationships with roasters and importers.

Producers should also adapt their green coffee bag size based on specialty coffee trends and roaster preferences. Smaller specialty lots of more expensive coffees, such as rare microlots, are increasingly sold in 30kg or even smaller vacuum-sealed packages.

“[For] some of the more special coffees that are more expensive, we bag in 30kg bags,” Ed says. “This way, roasters can keep fresher inventory without committing to a 60kg lot.” This coffee bag size reduces the risk of over-ordering and roastery waste by purchasing smaller quantities closely attuned to their needs.

What are the key considerations for green coffee bags?

While green coffee bag size is an important consideration based on the coffee’s country of origin and quality, material choices are also a priority. For this reason, exporters should ensure that they offer hermetic green coffee bags in industry-standard sizes. This protects the green coffee against humidity, light, and temperature fluctuations during transit and storage.

Alongside adequate size options, hermetic green coffee bags require high-quality sealing options to preserve the green coffee. For example, green coffee bags often feature resealable zippers or twist-and-tie closures to ensure the bag remains airtight after each use. “A [zipper] situation sounds great,” Ed says.

Hermetic coffee bags of all sizes are made from multilayer polyethylene. This is a high-strength recyclable plastic that creates an airtight barrier to protect green coffee from excess moisture, light, and humidity. “It keeps the coffee contained and preserves quality better than a jute sack,” he adds. These come in a range of sizes, including 100g sample bags with zippers for testing microlots or new coffees from producers.

Overall, the ideal green coffee bag size depends on various factors. Primarily, you need to consider the volume of coffee a roaster has ordered, its warehouse storage capabilities, and the common output level for the coffee’s country of origin.

The type of coffee also determines which bag size is most appropriate, with expensive microlot coffees usually being shipped in smaller bags. Therefore, exporters need to constantly assess their green coffee packaging to ensure the bag sizes are optimised for their producers’ output and their roasters’ needs.

As Ed points out, these factors are growing in prominence across the industry. “On the commercial side, high-volume buyers have been doing things the same way for many years, and they don’t want to change,” he says. “But in specialty coffee, we’re seeing more experimentation with bag sizes to accommodate different types of buyers.”

For producers and exporters looking for green coffee packaging in a range of sizes, MTPak Coffee, can accommodate your needs. Our PureLock hermetic green coffee bags preserve freshness by protecting green coffee from external factors like oxygen and moisture during transit and storage. We also produce custom jute bags that protect the coffee from external damage to ensure it reaches roasters in the condition they expect.

Contact the MTPak Coffee team to enquire about green coffee packaging in sizes that accommodate your needs.

Please note: InterAmerican Coffee is not a client of MTPak Coffee.