Pack-Out and Grade Calculator
Field tonnage is not saleable tonnage. Convert bunches into cartons and money once pack-out and grade are applied.
Field yield flatters you. Buyers pay for cartons at grade, not tonnes in the field. This tool applies pack-out and grade split to the tonnage from the Yield forecast so you can see cartons, grades and revenue before you plant.
Pack-out and grade calculator
From bunches and bunch weight to cartons, grades and revenue.
From the yield forecast
Dessert export 16–22 · plantain 10–16
Cavendish 8–12; plantain fewer, larger hands
Share of field tonnage that grades out as saleable
Export 12–18 kg; local crates 8–15 kg
Grade split of saleable fruit
Remainder becomes processing / reject
Puree, chips, livestock or zero if unsaleable
The formulas#
Bunches = bunches/ha/yr × area
Field tonnage = bunches × average bunch weight ÷ 1,000
Hands = bunches × hands per bunch
Saleable tonnage = field tonnage × pack-out (%) ← the number buyers pay for
Cartons = saleable kg ÷ carton net weight
Hands per carton = (hands × pack-out) ÷ cartons
Premium tonnes = saleable × premium %
Standard tonnes = saleable × standard %
Processing tonnes = saleable − premium − standard
Revenue = Σ (grade tonnes × grade price × 1,000)
Revenue per ha = revenue ÷ areaPack-out is where most field estimates quietly overstate income: a grower who budgets on 30 t/ha field tonnage may only sell 25 t of packed fruit.
Worked example#
5 ha, 1,673 bunches/ha/yr, 18 kg bunches, 9 hands, 85% pack-out, 12 kg cartons:
Bunches = 1,673 × 5 = 8,365
Field tonnes = 8,365 × 18 ÷ 1,000 = 150.6 t (30.1 t/ha)
Hands = 8,365 × 9 = 75,285
Saleable = 150.6 × 0.85 = 128.0 t
Cartons = 128,000 ÷ 12 = 10,665
Premium 30% = 38.4 t @ 0.60 → $23,040
Standard 55% = 70.4 t @ 0.40 → $28,160
Processing = 19.2 t @ 0.15 → $2,880
Revenue = $54,073 ($10,815/ha)Reading the results#
| Output | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Saleable tonnage | The only tonnage your buyer counts — everything downstream uses it |
| Cartons | Production planning and packing-line throughput |
| Hands per carton | Labour planning for de-handing, grading and packing |
| Grade tonnage | Whether your pack-out is premium-heavy or reject-heavy |
| Revenue per grade | Which grade improvement moves money most |
| Revenue per ha | Compare against cost per kg from the farm budget |
Next steps#
- Protect the pack-out you just calculated: Packing house and post-harvest handling.
- Meet the buyer's grade and residue rules: Certification and market compliance.
- Cost it out: Farm budget calculator.
- Estimate field tonnage first: Yield forecast calculator.