Why is a mesh bag for potatoes good 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 vegetable garden are looking for the most 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 potato nets. It is 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 potato mesh bag

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

Varieties

Different colors of bags are used for vegetables. 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:

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

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.

For filling 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

Benefits:

• the quality of the potato is visible;
• small package weight;
• neat and aesthetic appearance;
• low price;
• product material does not rot;
• the ability to leave contact information.

Due to these advantages, net packs are very popular among those who sell potatoes and other vegetables.

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

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

Where can I buy

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

There are many online stores selling potato mesh bags. Such packages can be found on the sites of private ads, such as Avito. They can also be found at farmers' markets and fairs.

How much is

Since there is not much raw material required to make the mesh (plastic recycling is often used), prices are not high. The cost depends on the size, packaging method, manufacturer and material used:

• the price for 1 purple bag 50x80 cm, which is most often used for packing 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

Transportation of potatoes in mesh bags is convenient and practical... This packaging prevents the tubers from scattering on the body, which eliminates the risk of damage.Also, such packaging provides excellent air circulation, which also reduces the likelihood of reproduction 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 these bags, the potatoes are cleaner due to the fact that all the sand is poured through the mesh.

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

Storage rules in a mesh bag are standard, since it does not 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 into nets. Weighed and sorted tubers are placed in a special compartment. The bag is unwound from the roll, then moves 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 car. Therefore, usually after the potatoes have been dried and sorted, they are manually placed in bags.

There is an opportunity to simplify this process - to make a device for loading potatoes with your own hands.

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

The device is more complicated - it is a ring with a diameter of about 30 cm welded from a metal rod, 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 package. Next, the device is lowered with a ring down and a bag is put on it. Its neck will just fit the ring.

It is more convenient to fill the bag in this way than in the previous one: the potatoes are immediately distributed evenly, there is no need to shake and report the tubers.

Read also:

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

Storage rules for seed potatoes.

Conclusion

Potato mesh bag is an excellent device for transporting and storing tubers. Cheapness and availability allows even novice farmers to purchase it. At the same time, the product looks quite presentable.

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

For those who are simply engaged in home farming, the pricing policy of manufacturers will also please. The purchase of such bags is much more budgetary than jute ones. They can be reused if desired.