What is good about a mesh potato bag and how to use it correctly

In the summer we enjoy young potatoes, in the fall we stock up for the winter. Those who have their own garden are looking for cost-effective packaging options. Buyers want to see exactly what they are buying. Entrepreneurs who sell potatoes are considering how best to organize the entire process of delivery and packaging of tubers.

Recently, farmers are increasingly using nets for potatoes. It's convenient and economical. Let's figure out what they are made of, how much they cost, where they are sold and how to use them.

What is a mesh bag for potatoes?

The mesh bag is made of polyethylene or polypropylene. Some options have ties, others do not. Such containers are soft, elastic and at the same time durable. It contains vegetables are stored for a long time.

Varieties

For vegetables, different colored bags are used. For example, red nets are for packing onions, purple nets are for potatoes, green nets are for cabbage.

Potatoes are laid out in two ways: manually and with a special machine, so there are two types of bags:

• mesh for manual packaging;
• mesh bag or mesh sleeve in a roll for machine.

These bags vary in size and weight they can support.

For manual filling:

• 50x80 – 35-40 kg;
• 45x75 – up to 30 kg;
• 40x60 – up to 17 kg;
• 33x47 – up to 12 kg;
• 30x47 – up to 9 kg;
• 26x39 – up to 5 kg;
• 22x31 – up to 2.5 kg.

To fill by machine:

• 54x78 – up to 25 kg;
• 41x60 – up to 10 kg;
• 34x50 – up to 5 kg;
• 31x39 – up to 2.5 kg.

Advantages and disadvantages of storing and transporting potatoes in nets

Advantages:

• the quality of the potatoes is visible;
• light packaging weight;
• neat and aesthetic appearance;
• low price;
• the material of the product does not rot;
• opportunity to leave contact information.

Due to these advantages, mesh packaging is very popular among those who sell potatoes and other vegetables.

Disadvantage - does not protect against external negative influences (shaking, humidity, sunlight).

With proper storage, the disadvantages are eliminated, respectively, both farmers and buyers receive convenient, inexpensive containers for transporting and storing products.

Where can I buy

In most cases, meshes are sold in bulk. Consult with those who are already using bags from the manufacturer you have chosen, and only after that order them so as not to purchase a low-quality product. Find out how long the company has been on the market, what reviews of the product there are on independent forums.

There are many online stores selling net bags for potatoes. Such packaging can be found on private classifieds websites, such as Avito. They are also found at farmers markets and fairs.

What is the price

Since the mesh does not require much raw material (recycled plastic is often used), prices are low. The cost depends on the size, packaging method, manufacturer and material used:

• price for 1 purple bag 50x80 cm, which is most often used for packaging potatoes for sale - from 5 rubles;
• for wholesale (100 pcs.) purchase of purple nets for potatoes 50x80 cm - from 600 rubles;
• mesh sleeves for potatoes (500 pcs.) – from 2000 rubles;
• roll (2000 pcs.) 54x78 cm – from 14 thousand rubles.

How to properly store and transport potatoes in nets

Transporting potatoes in net bags is convenient and practical. This packaging prevents the tubers from scattering throughout the body, which eliminates the risk of damage. This packaging also ensures excellent air circulation, which also reduces the likelihood of the proliferation of putrefactive microflora.

Potatoes are transported in covered transport when temperature +12…+14°С, in winter – not lower than +4°С. In open transport they provide protection from the sun, precipitation and constant ventilation. If the body is completely closed, it is ventilated for 30 minutes every 4 hours.

Important! When using such bags, the potatoes are cleaner due to the fact that all the sand is poured out through the mesh.

Potato storage in nets it is convenient both in the cellar and in the apartment. Due to transparency, you can immediately see if there is a rotten tuber that needs to be thrown away.

The rules for storing in a mesh bag are standard, since it does not in any way increase or decrease the impact of external factors on potatoes. It is kept in a dark place at a temperature of +2...+4°C and a humidity of 85-90%.

How to load potatoes into a mesh bag

On an industrial scale, a special machine is used to pack vegetables in nets. Weighed and sorted tubers are placed in a special compartment. The bag is unwound from the roll, then moved to the neck through which the tubers are fed. The bag is filled and then sewn up.

At home, there is often no need for such a machine. Therefore, usually after the potatoes have been dried and sorted, they are manually put into bags.

It is possible to simplify this process - make your own device for loading potatoes.

The simplest device is a pipe, the diameter and height of which will allow it to fit completely into the bag. It is placed in a mesh, then the bag will not lose its shape and one person can handle its filling. This will increase the efficiency of all participants in the potato harvesting and sorting process.

The device is more complicated - it is a ring welded from a metal rod with a diameter of about 30 cm, to which legs 75-80 cm long are welded.

Tips (preferably spherical) are welded to the legs at the bottom so as not to tear the packaging. Next, the device is lowered with the ring down and a bag is put on it. Its neck will fit right onto the ring.

It’s more convenient to fill the bag this way than the previous one: the potatoes are immediately distributed evenly, you don’t have to shake and add the tubers.

Read also:

What is the maximum shelf life of potatoes and how to extend it.

Rules for storing seed potatoes.

Conclusion

A potato mesh bag is an excellent device for transporting and storing tubers. Cheapness and availability allows even beginning farmers to purchase it. The product looks quite presentable.

Potatoes packaged in this way are also attractive to buyers. The advantages and disadvantages of tubers are immediately visible; there is no need to think through additional conditions for transportation and storage.

For those who are simply engaged in home gardening, the pricing policy of the producers will also please them. Purchasing such bags is much cheaper than jute ones. They can be reused if desired.