Whole spices from India are usually packed in 25 kg or 50 kg bags of three kinds: PP woven bags, multi-wall paper bags with a plastic liner, or jute bags. Some products, such as dry chilli, may be pressed into bales or packed in larger sacks.
Each bag has trade-offs on cost, strength, breathability and contamination risk. The right choice depends on what your customer accepts.
Whatever the bag, the product inside must be dry and clean before it is packed. No bag will save a lot that goes in damp. Check moisture against your spec before packing starts, not after the container is sealed.
PP woven bags
Polypropylene woven bags are the most common export pack. They are cheap, strong and resist tearing.
- Can be plain, laminated, or fitted with a polythene liner for moisture protection.
- Less breathable than jute, so the product must be dry before packing.
- Slippery, so stacks need care in the container.
- Can shed fibres if poorly made. Ask for food-grade, new bags.
Paper bags with liners
Multi-wall kraft paper bags, usually with a polythene liner, are often preferred by EU, UK and US food manufacturers. They do not shed fibres, they print well and they look clean on arrival.
Ask the supplier whether they hold paper bags in stock or order them per contract. Lead times for printed paper bags can add days to your first order.
- Good choice for buyers with strict foreign matter rules.
- Weaker against tearing and water than PP, so handle and stack with care.
- Usually cost more than PP bags.
Jute bags
Jute is the traditional sack for many agri goods. It breathes, is strong and is biodegradable.
- Jute fibres can end up in the product, which some food buyers treat as foreign matter.
- Jute is processed with batching oil. For food, ask for bags made with food-grade oil to avoid mineral oil contamination.
- Can pick up moisture and odours from the surroundings.
- Still common for some markets and products, and liked by buyers who value the look.
What to specify
Set out the pack in your spec. If you want your own brand or a smaller pack size, read whether Indian suppliers can pack in your brand.
- Bag type, material and whether a liner is required.
- Net weight per bag, and the allowed tolerance.
- Printing or marking: product, grade, lot number, crop year, net weight, origin and your own marks.
- New bags only, never reused.
- Palletised or floor-loaded, which changes how much fits. See how many tonnes of cumin or fennel fit in one container.
Where we come in
We agree the pack with the supplier in your spec, check bag type, weights and markings at the factory, and supervise loading so the stack is sound. If you are choosing a pack for a new product, request a free sourcing review.