Quick answer
Raschel bags are warp-knitted HDPE — soft, stretchy, lowest cost per bag, the default for onions, potatoes and citrus. Leno bags are woven PP — firmer, more dimensionally stable, better for heavy or sharp loads, typically 15–30% dearer. Tubular mesh on rolls feeds automatic packing lines for 1–5 lb consumer packs. Buy by spec — size, grams per bag and closure — not by name: two "50 lb onion bags" from two suppliers can differ by 15 g of resin each, and that gap is the whole difference between two quotes.
The three constructions, compared
All three are extruded polyolefin tape or yarn turned into an open mesh, but the way the mesh is formed decides how the bag feels, stacks and prices.
| Raschel mesh bag | Leno mesh bag | Tubular mesh (roll stock) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material / build | Warp-knitted HDPE tape | Woven PP tape, locked cross-weave | Knitted HDPE / PA tube on rolls |
| Feel & behavior | Soft, stretchy, conforms to the crop | Firm, holds its shape, stacks neatly | Continuous tube, cut and clipped in line |
| Typical loads | 5–25 kg (up to 30 kg heavy-duty) | 10–30 kg, sharp or dense loads | 0.5–2.5 kg consumer packs |
| Best for | Onions, potatoes, citrus, cabbage | Root crops, corn, shellfish, firewood | Citrus, limes, avocados, garlic |
| Relative price | Lowest per bag | ≈ raschel +15–30% | Priced per kg of roll |
Mesh produce bag size and capacity chart (export standard)
US programs usually stock 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb and 50 lb equivalents; export programs specify width × length in centimetres. Custom widths and lengths are standard practice, not a special order.
| Bag size (cm) | Approx. (inches) | Capacity | Typical bag weight* | Common crops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 40 | 12 × 16 | 1–2 kg (2–4 lb) | 7–10 g | Garlic, limes, shallots |
| 40 × 60 | 16 × 24 | 5 kg (10 lb) | 12–18 g | Onions, oranges, potatoes |
| 45 × 75 | 18 × 30 | 10–15 kg (25 lb) | 22–32 g | Potatoes, onions |
| 50 × 80 | 20 × 31 | 20–25 kg (50 lb) | 38–55 g | Onions, potatoes, carrots |
| 55 × 85 | 22 × 33 | 25–30 kg | 45–60 g | Cabbage, corn |
| 60 × 100 | 24 × 39 | 30 kg + | 55–75 g | Heavy roots, firewood |
*Raschel construction; leno bags of the same size weigh roughly 20–40% more. Highlighted rows are the two workhorse sizes in most onion and potato programs. Specify width × length, grams per bag and closure.
Why grams per bag is the spec that sets your price
Mesh bags are made from extruded tape, so the resin content — grams per bag — drives cost more than the nominal size does. Two "50 lb onion bags" can differ by 15 g of HDPE: across a container that is tonnes of resin. When comparing quotes, always ask for size + grams per bag + closure, and compare like for like.
- Reference wholesale ranges (manufacturer level): about US$20–45 per thousand for 5 kg raschel bags and US$80–140 per thousand for heavy-duty 25 kg bags; leno versions run 15–30% above raschel. Color, UV stabilizer, closure and printing move the number within those ranges.
- Container math: a 40'HQ carries roughly 16–18 tonnes of mesh bags — on the order of 350,000–400,000 heavy-duty 25 kg bags, or over a million 5 kg bags.
- Do not "round up" weight for safety: the right bag is the lightest one that survives your filling line, palletizing and transit. Ask for two grammages of the same size as samples and drop-test both.
Closures, labels and branding options
- Drawstring: the field standard for 10–50 lb bags; fastest to close by hand.
- Sewn bottom + open top: for automatic or stitch-close lines.
- Clipband + wineglass header label: retail look for 2–10 lb packs; the printed header carries brand, PLU and origin.
- Half-and-half bags: mesh back + printed film front panel (up to 8-color flexo) — the common format for 1–5 lb citrus in US retail.
- Sewn-in PE label: lowest-cost branding for commodity 25/50 lb bags.
Color conventions buyers actually follow
Mesh color is merchandising, not just cosmetics: red flatters yellow onions and citrus, purple marks red onions, green suits cabbage and leafy crops, white is the garlic standard, orange sells carrots and sweet potatoes, and yellow is common for lemons and sweet corn. Many programs standardize one bag size and differentiate crops purely by mesh color and label — it simplifies inventory and still looks intentional on the shelf.
Vented film bags vs mesh: when to switch
Mesh maximizes airflow and lets the shopper see and smell the crop — ideal where moisture must escape fast (onions, garlic) or appearance sells (citrus). Vented poly or micro-perforated film protects better against dehydration and abrasion — better for grapes, cherries and leafy greens. Many packers run both from one supplier to consolidate freight; see our produce bag selection guide and bag materials comparison.
Sourcing mesh bags from Fuxing Group
Fuxing Development Group manufactures raschel and leno mesh bags, tubular mesh, vented produce bags, banana bags, grape bags, PP corrugated plastic boxes and corrugated cartons across 145,000 m² of plants in China, Vietnam and the Philippines (about 1,000 people; ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SGS-audited, FSC for paper packaging). Reference MOQ is 50,000–100,000 bags per size and color; one PO can combine mesh bags with boxes and liners in the same container to US or Latin American ports. Production typically takes 15–25 days; ocean transit is about 15–25 days to US West Coast ports and 30–45 days to Latin American ports. Quotes within 12 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between raschel and leno mesh bags?
Raschel bags are warp-knitted from HDPE tape, soft and stretchy, and conform to the crop — the standard choice for onions, potatoes and citrus. Leno bags are woven from PP tape with a locked cross-weave, so they hold their shape better, stack more neatly and resist snagging — preferred for heavier or sharper loads. For most produce programs raschel costs less per bag; leno buys extra dimensional stability at roughly 15–30% more.
What sizes do mesh produce bags come in?
Common export sizes run from 30×40 cm (1–2 kg garlic or limes) through 40×60 cm (5 kg / 10 lb), 45×75 cm (10–15 kg), 50×80 cm (20–25 kg / 50 lb onions or potatoes) up to 60×100 cm (30 kg and above). US programs typically stock 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb and 50 lb equivalents. Custom widths and lengths are standard practice.
How much do mesh produce bags cost wholesale?
As a reference at manufacturer level: small 5 kg raschel bags run about US$20–45 per thousand and heavy-duty 25 kg bags about US$80–140 per thousand, with leno versions 15–30% above raschel. Final pricing depends on bag weight (grams per bag), closure, color and printing — ask for a quote by spec; we respond within 12 hours.
What is the MOQ and lead time for custom mesh bags?
Reference MOQ is 50,000–100,000 bags per size and color, and multiple sizes, colors and even other packaging (PP corrugated boxes, cartons, liners) can be consolidated in one container. Production typically takes 15–25 days; ocean transit is about 15–25 days to US West Coast ports and 30–45 days to Latin American ports.
Which mesh bag color should I choose for my crop?
Color is merchandising: red mesh flatters yellow onions and citrus, purple is common for red onions, green suits cabbage and leafy vegetables, white is typical for garlic, and orange for carrots or sweet potatoes. Mixed programs often standardize one bag size and vary only the mesh color and print.
Can mesh bags be printed or labeled with our brand?
Yes. Options include printed PE labels sewn into the seam, wineglass header labels closed with a clipband, drawstring closures, and half-and-half bags that combine mesh with a printed film front panel (popular for 1–5 lb citrus). We print up to 8 colors on film panels and labels with food-contact-safe inks.
Send your spec, get a quote within 12 hours
Tell us bag type (raschel / leno / tubular), size, grams per bag, closure, color, print and destination port. Samples of two grammages are available for drop testing before you commit to a container.
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