Choosing a pack
Why does fruit packaging have holes?
Short answer
The holes are vents. Fresh fruit keeps breathing after harvest, giving off heat, moisture and carbon dioxide; vents let that out so condensation and mould do not build up, and let cold air reach the fruit during cooling. That is why AVI's clamshells have vents in the base and lid, and heat-seal punnets use perforated lidding film. Sealed MAP packs for meat are the opposite: no holes at all.
Part of the guides: Grape packaging guide and Strawberry packaging guide
- Vents doRelease heat, moisture and CO₂
- Without themCondensation, mould, slower cooling
Vented packs
| Pack | Type | Size (L × W × H) | Empty weight | Holds | Per carton | Enquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNG 250 / 75 | Hinged lid | 128 × 94 × 75 mm | 9 g | 250 g | 1,225 | |
| PNG 501 / 85 | Hinged lid | 190 × 115 × 85 mm | 16 g | 500 g | 760 / 750 | |
| TBT 180 120 / 85 Lateral Bottom Vents | Flat lid heat-sealed to base | 184 × 117.5 × 85 mm | 16 g | — | 1,000 | |
| TBT 180 120 / 85 Side Vents | Flat lid heat-sealed to base | — | — | — | — |
All packs are rPET. Figures from AVI's catalogue; tolerances and fill depend on the produce, so samples are the final check.
AVI products for this
What vents do
- Let the fruit breathe: respiration continues after picking. Without air exchange, oxygen drops and off-flavours develop.
- Stop condensation: warm, moist air meeting a cold pack wall forms droplets, and wet fruit moulds.
- Speed up cooling: forced-air coolers push cold air through carton and pack vents to remove field heat fast.
Designing the vents
Vent size, number and position depend on the fruit, the cooling method and the outer carton. Grape export packs often vent at the side or bottom to match carton airflow; berry clamshells vent in the base and lid. AVI's TBT 180 120 / 85 heat-seal punnet comes with lateral-bottom or side vents for this reason.
Related questions
Do vents shorten shelf life by drying the fruit?
Too many or too large vents can. The vent area is a balance between letting moisture out and keeping enough humidity in; it differs for berries, grapes and tomatoes.
Why do some packs have vents only at the side or bottom?
So they line up with the vents in the outer carton and the airflow in a forced-air cooler or reefer container, and so dirt or water cannot drip in from above.