Weights and Processed Yields of Fruits and Vegetables

Circular 780

A crate of broccoli sits in a market setting, showing fruits and vegetables in other packages.

This information prepared by former Extension horticulturists S.C. Myers and Paul Colditz. Released by Darbie Granberry and Terry Kelley, Extension horticulturists. Reviewed by Tim Coolong, Extension coordinator, horticulture.

Common retail containers
Weights and approximate processed yields for fruits
Weights and approximate processed yields for vegetables
Volumes and conversions
Acknowledgments and selected resources

Retail or direct marketing at farmer's markets, roadside markets, stands and pick-your-own farms is an important and growing method of marketing fresh fruits and vegetables in Georgia. However, many of the containers used in the wholesale trade are not practical for direct marketing to consumers who desire fruits and vegetables in small quantities. The retail marketer has the option of selling his product in small volume containers or by count when scales are unavailable.

Containers available for retail marketing come in a wide range of sizes and materials. Some of the more common retail containers are presented in Table 1.

Common retail containers

Table 1.

Common Name	Material	Common size(s)
Bags	paper and polyethylene, often with handles	1/4 peck to 1/2 bushel
Bags	Kraft paper bags	Grocery bag – 2/3 bushel No. 20 bag – 8 quarts No. 10 bag – 7 quarts No. 8 bag – 4 quarts No. 2 bag – 1 quart
Baskets	wood	1/4, 1/2, and 1 peck; 1/2 and 1 bushel
Boxes, cartons, and hampers	corrugated paper, often waved, or wood	from 1/2 peck to 1 bushel
Fruit and Vegetable Baskets	corrugated paper with handles	2 to 8 quarts
Clamshell containers	plastic	1/2 pint to 4 quarts
Trays	corrugated paper	6 to 8 quarts (10 to 15 lb)

Under specific fruit and vegetable crops, retail containers are compared with the more common containers (bushels, lugs, etc.) that are used in the wholesale trade (Tables 2 and 3). In addition, weights and approximate yields for canning and freezing of fruits and vegetables in some of the common retail containers are presented for use in retail marketing. Because processed yields can vary so much based on size of produce and processing method, consider the indicated yields to be approximate values.

Weights and Approximate Processed Yields for Fruits

Table 2.

Product	Retail Volume	Net Weight (lb)	Processed yield
Apples	bushel (bu)	42 to 48	1 bushel = 15 to 18 quart canned applesauce
	1/2 bushel bag	24	1 bushel = 30 to 36 quarts frozen applesauce 1 bushel = 10 to 12 quarts juice
	peck	10 to 14	1 peck (32 med. apples) = 4 quart canned 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb. fresh = 1 pint frozen 2 to 3 lb fresh = 1 quart canned 1 cup pared, sliced = 1/4 lb
Blackberries	6-quart tray	10 to 12	1 1/2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
	gallon	5 to 6
	quart	1 1/4 to 1 1/2
Blueberries	6-quart tray	9 to 12	2 1/4 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned 1 pint fresh = 1 pint frozen 1 cup = 1/3 lb 1 cup = 1/3 lb
	gallon	6 to 8
	quart	1 1/2 to 2
	pint	3/4 to 1
Cherries	lug	15 to 16	2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned, unpitted 1 pint = 1 pint frozen, unpitted 1 cup = 1/3 lb
	quart	1 1/2 to 1 3/4
	pint	1 1/4 to 1 1/2
Grapes (with stems)	bushel	44 to 50	1 bu = 16 quarts of juice 1 cup (whole, stemmed) = 1/3 lb
	lug	24 to 28
	2-quart basket	2 1/2 to 3
Peaches	bushel	48 to 52	1 bu = 18 to 24 quarts canned 2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned 1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen 1 cup = 2/5 lb
	1/2 bushel bag	24
	lug	19 to 22
	peck	12 to 14
Pears	bushel	48 to 50	1 bu = 20 to 25 quarts canned 2 to 2 1/3 lb = 1 quart canned 1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen 1 cup pared, sliced = 2/5 lb
	lug	21 to 24
	peck	12 to 14
Plums	bushel	50 to 56	1 bu = 24 to 30 quarts canned 2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned 1 cup halves = 1/3 lb
Plums	peck	13 to 15
Raspberries	6-quart tray	8 to 10	1 cup = 1/3 lb
	3-quart tray	4
	quart	1 1/4 to 1 1/2
	pint	3/4
Strawberries	24-quart crate	36	1 lb = 1 pint frozen
	8-quart basket	12 to 15
	8-quart flat	12
	6-quart basket	10 to 12
	4-quart basket	6
	quart	1 1/4 to 1 1/2

Weights and Approximate Processed Yields for Vegetables

Table 3.

Product	Retail Volume	*Net Weight (lb)**	Processed Yield	Comments
Asparagus	pyramid crate	32	1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen 3 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned	often sold in bunches weighing 1 1/2 to 2 lb each
Asparagus	bushel (bu)	24	1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen 3 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned	often sold in bunches weighing 1 1/2 to 2 lb each
Beans, Lima	bushel	30	1 bu = 12 to 16 pints frozen 3 to 5 lb = 1 quart canned
Beans, Snap	bushel	28 to 30	1 bu = 30 to 45 pints frozen 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned 1 bu = about 15-16 quarts canned	often sold in 1 bushel wirebound wooden crates
Beets	bushel, topped	52	1 bu = 35 to 42 pints frozen 2 to 3 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned	often sold in 2-lb bunches with leaves
Broccoli	wax boxes	23 to 25	1 bu = 10 to 12 quarts canned 1 lb = 1 pint frozen	commercially, most broccoli is top-iced in wax boxes
Brussels Sprouts	carton, loose pack	25	1 quart = 1 1/2 pints frozen
Brussels Sprouts	quart	1 1/2	1 quart = 1 1/2 pints frozen
Cabbage	flat crate	53 to 60	3 lb = 1 quart canned sauerkraut 1 lb = 2 cups cooked 1 lb = 4 cups shredded	often sold by the head, varying in size with variety and tightness of head, usually 2 to 6 lb
Cabbage	carton	53
Carrots	bushel, topped	50 1-, 5- or up to 48-lb bags	1 bu = 32 to 40 pints frozen 2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned	often sold in bags of varying weights
Cauliflower	carton of 9 to 16 heads, trimmed	18 to 24	2 med. heads = 3 pints frozen, or 1 1/2 quarts canned	usually sold as 1- to 1 1/2-lb heads
Collards	Sold in a bushel box as bunched leaves, or whole plants in boxes	18 to 20	3/4 – 1 lb = 1 pint	markets desire bunches to weigh 4 lb
Corn, Sweet	wirebound wood crates or 4-dozen-ear boxes	42 to 50 (crates) 24 to 32 (boxes)	60 ears = 14 to 17 pints frozen 1 dozen ears = 1 to 1 1/2 quarts canned	at markets, usually sold by the dozen which weighs 6 to 8 lb in-husk
Cucumbers	bushel	48 to 50	1 bu = 24 quarts of dill pickles	sometimes sold by count
Eggplants	bushel	33 to 35		sometimes sold by count
Greens	bushel	18 to 20	1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen	mustard, spinach, and turnip often sold in 1- to 1 1/2-lb bunches or bags
Kale	bushel	18	1 bu = 6 to 9 quarts canned, 12 to 18 pints frozen	also sold in 1- to 1 1/2-lb bunches
Muskmelons	box or bin	48		usually sold by count; vary widely in size by variety, 3 to 6 lb each
Okra	tall bushel hamper	26 to 30	1 bu = 17 quarts canned 34 to 40 pints frozen
Okra	12-quart basket	15 to 18	1 bu = 17 quarts canned 34 to 40 pints frozen
Onions	bag	40
Onions	bunch, green – 48 bunches	15 to 18
Peas, English green (unshelled)	bushel	28 to 30	1 bu = 12 to 15 pints frozen 3 to 6 lb = 1 quart canned
Peas, English green (unshelled)	peck	7 to 8	1 bu = 12 to 15 pints frozen 3 to 6 lb = 1 quart canned
Peas, Southern	bushel hamper	25	3 1/2 to 4 = 1 quart
Peas, Edible Pod	peck	8 to 10
Peas, Edible Pod	quart	1 to 1 1/2
Peppers, Green Hot	bushel box	28	2/3 lb = 1 pint frozen	Often sold by count; large peppers, 80-85 per bu; small peppers, 110 per bu
Peppers, Green Hot	cartons	16 to 25	2/3 lb = 1 pint frozen
Potatoes, Irish (mature)	sack	100	1 bu = 20 quarts canned
	bushel	60
	peck	15
Potatoes (new)	No. 10 bag	10
Pumpkins	pie pumpkins each	5 to 15	3 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned	sold by count or in large bin boxes
Pumpkins	Jack o'lantern each	15 to 40	3 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned	sold by count or in large bin boxes
Radishes	carton of 30 6-oz film bags	12		also sold in bunches of 1/2 to 3/4 lb
Rhubarb	bunch	2 to 2 1/2	1 lb cooked = 3/4 cup
Rutabaga	bushel basket	56	1 lb = 2 2/3 cups diced	usually sold by count
Rutabaga	peck	15	1 lb = 2 2/3 cups diced	usually sold by count
Squash, Summer	bushel	40 to 44	1 bu = 32 to 40 pints frozen 2 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned	zucchini, crookneck, pattypan, etc.
Squash, Winter	small each	1 to 4	3 lb = 2 pints frozen 2 1/2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned	usually sold by count and may be graded by size such as acorn, butternut, buttercup
	intermediate each	6 to 12		Intermediate includes delicious, golden hubbard, banana
	large each	15 to 40		Large includes varieties such as blue hubbard, jumbo banana
Sweet Potatoes	box (cured)	40	2/3 lb = 1 pint frozen 2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
Tomatoes	paperboard box	25	2 1/2 to 3 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned 1 bu = 15 to 20 quarts canned
Tomatoes	place pack	18 to 20
Turnips	without tops; mesh bag or bushel	50 to 56	1 lb = 2 2/3 cups diced	6 to 8 turnips per bunch; roots to be 2 to 3 in. in diameter
	peck	12 to 15
	turnips bunched with tops; sold by the dozen in paperboard box	18 dozen
Watermelons	pallet bin			usually sold by count; 36, 45 and 60 are the most common bin counts
Note. Net weight per container may vary slightly due to variation in product size. Net weight should not be less than the lowest stated weight listed.

Volumes and Conversions

Bushel	4 pecks 8 gallons (dry) 32 quarts (dry) 64 pints (dry) 2,150 cubic inches
Peck	1/4 bushel 8 quarts (dry) 538 cubic inches
Lug	shallow containers, usually wood, that come in any size
Gallon	4 quarts 231 cubic inches
Quart	32 fluid ounces 58 cubic inches
Kilo (or kilogram)	2.205 lb
Liter	1.057 quarts (liquid)

Acknowledgments and Selected References

The authors wish to acknowledge the following sources and references, certain tables from which were adapted for use in this publication.

Economic Research Service. (1979). Conversion factors and weights and measures for agricultural commodities and their products. U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Sabota, C. M., & Courter, J. W. (1979). Net weights and processed yields of fruits and vegetables in common retail units (Hort Facts HM-3-79). University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
Magoon, C. E. (1976). Container net weights. United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Status and Revision History
Published on Aug 01, 1999
Unpublished/Removed on Feb 24, 2009
Published on Mar 12, 2010
Published with Full Review on Jan 04, 2014
Published with Full Review on Aug 01, 2017
Published with Full Review on Sep 26, 2022

Faculty

Timothy Coolong Interim ANR Leader, Assistant Dean for Extension | Professor, Extension Specialist, Emphasis: Vegetable, Horticulture Bob Westerfield Senior Public Service Associate, Horticulture

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