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The citrus sector is a key pillar of South Africa’s agricultural exports. As a country, we grow some of the finest oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and naartjies in the world, thanks to the ideal climate and rich soils in many of our provinces. However, citrus farmers’ success depends on finding effective and affordable packing products.

Citrus farming is a capital-intensive endeavour, with significant costs associated with irrigation, equipment and land. Farmers must carefully control all of their operating costs, including packaging, to stay viable. In addition, citrus fruits can be difficult to package using traditional solutions like cardboard boxes or wooden crates since they are costly, rigid, and prone to damage. Bulk bags don’t have these issues, making them a great choice for citrus farmers.

Custom Bulk Bags is a leading manufacturer and supplier of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) in South Africa. We produce up to 3.5 million bulk bags per year and our products can safely hold between 500kg and two tonnes of material per bag. We offer several UN-certified designs and attachments, making our products fully customisable to meet your unique needs.

A farmer reaches out to pick two yellow citrus fruits from a tree.

Why citrus farmers need bulk bags

These flexible, affordable and reusable bulk containers are constructed from woven polypropylene tapes and are extremely durable. Their flexibility allows them to be filled with round citrus fruits and minimise the air gaps between the produce. This optimises the available storage space and helps to keep the fruit fresh. Citrus farms in South Africa can unlock the following benefits by using bulk bags:

  • Cost saving –  When compared to conventional packing products, bulk bags provide a more economical option. They are very affordable and when reused over time, their prices are further decreased.
  • Efficiency – Bulk bags are simple and fast to load and unload, which lowers labour costs and boosts agricultural productivity.
  • Protection – Citrus fruits are protected from damage during storage and transit by the bulk bags. With the addition of internal liners, the produce stays fresh for longer.
  • Space optimisation – By stacking bulk bags properly, warehouse storage space is optimised and the demand for further storage space can be decreased. This is vital in confined refrigerated containers and storerooms.
  • Freshness – Ventilation and baffles can be included in the design of bulk bags to guarantee adequate airflow, which reduces the accumulation of moisture and helps preserve citrus fruits.
  • Protection against pests – To keep citrus fruits free of pests and insects, bulk bags can be treated with certain coatings. They can also be made with dust-proof seams to ensure that no small insects can get inside the bulk bags.
  • Easy transportation – Bulk bags are fitted with strong lifting loops and their cubic shape allows them to stack neatly inside shipping containers. This makes them highly compatible with trucks, trains and sea freight, among other types of transportation.
  • Brand visibility – Brand recognition and visibility in the marketplace can be improved by customising bulk bags with farm logos and branding features.
A wide view of trees on a citrus farm.

How to keep citrus fresh

Farmers need their fruits and produce to reach the market in a fresh state. To guarantee the quality and freshness of citrus fruits when being stored in bulk bags, keep the ambient temperature between 0°C and 10°C. This requires refrigerated containers and cold storage rooms.

It’s also important to control humidity. To avoid excessive moisture loss or the growth of mould, keep the humidity level at a moderate level. This may require adequate ventilation. Make sure there is enough air flowing in the storage space to keep food from spoiling. Look for any indications of damage or leaks in the bulk bags regularly.

Choosing the right bulk bag manufacturer is essential to citrus farming success. As one of the top suppliers of premium bulk bags in South Africa, Custom Bulk Bags is ready to supply you with packaging solutions that can be tailored to meet your needs.

Our expert consultants are always available for consultations and advice, especially during the design and specification processes. We are here to ensure you get the perfect packaging products to improve your bottom line and keep your produce fresh. For more information about our bulk bags or to get advice on the ideal designs, please contact us today.

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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.

Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 2 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for our latest news and industry insights.