Quick answer
Many asparagus programs use an upright tapered pack, but dimensions and material are route decisions. Start with bunch height, net load, headroom, moist pad, hydrocooling, vents, drains and pallet pattern. Compare a moisture-resistant carton and PP corrugated crate in the same trial, then calculate cost from damage, handling, disposal or returns, washing, loss and measured successful trips.
Why asparagus packaging is upside-down from every other crop
Two things make asparagus unusual:
- It keeps growing after harvest. Spears bend away from gravity (geotropism): pack them flat and the tips curve upward within hours, downgrading the pack. So asparagus travels standing up, in crates wider at the base than the top so the bunches lean slightly inward and stay put.
- Some programs introduce substantial moisture. If hydrocooling or a moist pad is used, define exposure time and drainage, then measure compression and pallet stability after representative conditioning.
Standard asparagus pack styles and crate sizes
| Pack style | Net weight | Recommended crate (outer) | Wall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright pyramid, bunched (the export standard) | 11 lb / 5 kg | base 415 × 265 mm, top ≈390 × 240 mm, H 255 mm | 3–4 mm, 700–900 gsm | Moist-pad base, drain slots, tip headroom |
| Volume crate, loose or bunched | 28 lb / 12.7 kg | 500 × 300 × 260 mm (19.7 × 11.8 × 10.2 in) | 4 mm, 800–1,000 gsm | Vent holes for forced-air after hydrocooling |
| Retail trays / clamshell shipper | 12 × 1 lb | 600 × 400 × 150 mm (23.6 × 15.7 × 5.9 in) | 3 mm, 650–750 gsm | Low profile display-ready tray |
| Processor / repacker tote | up to 20 kg | custom to 1,200 mm length | 5 mm, 1,100–1,300 gsm | Double-stack cold chain |
Pyramid crates stack tip-safe: the taper leaves headroom so upper crates never rest on spear tips.
Wet lock vs PP corrugated for asparagus: cost per trip
| Waxed wet lock carton | PP corrugated plastic crate | |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price | Use the current quote for the specified board, treatment, print and volume | Use the current quote for the specified wall, joints, print and volume |
| Trips | Define the approved one-way or reuse model | Measure successful trips, damage, loss and retirement criteria |
| Cost per successful trip | Purchase + failure + receiver disposal | Purchase ÷ measured trips + return + wash + loss reserve |
| Hydrocooling / moist pad | Test coating, seams and compression after conditioning | Test seams, corners, drains, bulge and pallet stability |
| End of life | Confirm the exact treatment with the receiving OCC program | Confirm construction, cleanliness, collection and a local PP outlet |
| Best fit hypothesis | Often evaluated for lanes without an economical return | Often evaluated where recovery, inspection and washing are controlled |
Do not carry a generic reuse number from another crop or lane. Use the same scoring method for both candidates; see the produce-packaging trial scorecard and the route-cost comparison guide.
What to confirm in a factory quotation
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | Quote by size, construction, print, material, plant and packing method |
| Samples | State sample type, tooling, cost, approval criteria and dispatch milestone |
| Production | State the capacity assumption and milestone from approved artwork and sample |
| Container load | Calculate from approved flat blank or erected pack dimensions and loading plan |
| Printing | Up to 8-color flexo, PMS matched, both faces |
| Options | Pyramid taper, drain slots, vent holes, moist-pad base, hand holes and SKU-specific document package |
| FOB ports | Davao / Manila (Philippines), Haiphong (Vietnam), Shenzhen / Hong Kong (China) |
| Logistics schedule | Quote route, cut-off, production release, port pair and expected transit separately |
U.S. import review: match the SKU to the complete product scope, verify the actual plant and production steps, identify the producer and exporter, and confirm classification, value and current entry instructions with your customs broker. Use the packaging export-document checklist; do not infer treatment from a country name alone.
Spec checklist for your RFQ
- Pack style — 11 lb pyramid, 28 lb crate, or retail tray.
- Taper geometry — send your bunch height; we size base/top so tips clear the crate above.
- Wall thickness — 3–4 mm for 11 lb; 4 mm for 28 lb; 5 mm for double-stack. See the thickness guide (2–10 mm).
- Drainage — base drain slots sized so hydrocooler water escapes but the moist pad stays.
- Print — brand panels + PLU/traceability block.
- Return logistics — collapsible designs cut backhaul volume by up to 75%.
Request an asparagus crate specification review
Send pack style, bunch height, net load, pad, cooling method, pallet, route and volume. The quotation will identify the proposed factory, construction, documents, sample plan and schedule assumptions.
WhatsApp Quote Email jacky@fuxinggroup.cnFAQ: Asparagus shipping crates
Why is asparagus packed upright?
Spears keep growing after harvest and bend away from gravity (geotropism). Packed flat, tips curve upward within hours. Upright pyramid crates hold bunches vertical with a moist pad under the butts.
What are the standard asparagus box sizes?
The 11 lb (5 kg) upright pyramid crate (base ≈415 × 265 mm, H 255 mm) is the export standard; volume movers use a 28 lb crate ≈500 × 300 × 260 mm.
Can PP corrugated crates handle hydrocooling and moist pads?
A PP construction can be evaluated for this use. Test the finished crate, seams, corners, vents, drains, pallet and compression after representative water exposure.
How should we compare cost?
Use current quotes and route data. Include purchase, damage, disposal or return freight, washing, loss and the number of successful trips measured in the trial.
How are MOQ and schedule confirmed?
They depend on size, construction, tooling, material, print, plant, sample type, capacity and destination. Ask for every assumption and milestone in writing.
What should a U.S. importer verify?
Check product scope, classification, actual origin, producer, exporter, value and current entry instructions with a customs broker or adviser.