Carton
80 product codesThe outer case. Every published configuration ships in a carton; the inner format determines how the product sits inside it.
Packing & customization
Packing formats, carton configuration and customer-specific options
Packing is set against each product code and recorded with its specification, so a repeat order arrives configured the same way as the first.
The formats, carton figures and loading quantities below are drawn from the published product specifications. They differ by product, and the specification for the codes you are buying is what applies.
- Packing formats in use
- 5Packing formats in use
- Product codes with a published packing configuration
- 80Product codes with a published packing configuration
- Distinct carton and pallet configurations
- 9Distinct carton and pallet configurations
Packing formats
Each format below is in use on published product specifications. The product families listed against a format are those where it is currently specified.
Polybag
42 product codesProduct bagged in polythene inside the carton. Used for trimmings and cuts sold on weight rather than piece presentation.
Specified on
Vacuum packed
38 product codesIndividual pieces sealed in a vacuum bag, then cased. Used where chilled shelf life and presentation at the point of unpacking both matter.
IWP (individually wrapped)
19 product codesEach piece individually wrapped before casing, so portions separate cleanly after freezing and can be counted without breaking the pack.
Specified on
Block frozen
15 product codesProduct frozen as a solid block to the carton, for buyers feeding a further processing line rather than unpacking piece by piece.
Specified on
Packing by product specification
Format is a property of the product, not of the order. The table shows how formats are distributed across the catalogue; each product page carries the configuration for that code.
Others
34- Carton
- Polybag
- Vacuum packed
- IWP (individually wrapped)
- Block frozen
Chops & Loins
12- Carton
- Vacuum packed
- IWP (individually wrapped)
Pork Shoulder
10- Carton
- Vacuum packed
Pork Trimming
10- Carton
- Polybag
- Block frozen
Pork Leg
8- Carton
- Vacuum packed
Pork Belly
6- Carton
- Vacuum packed
Chilled and frozen supply
Temperature condition changes the packing decision, the shelf life and the documentation. Both are supplied; which applies depends on the code and the destination.
61 product codes offered chilled80 product codes offered frozen61 codes offered in both conditions
- Chilled
- −1 °C to +4 °C21 days from production, vacuum packed
- Frozen
- ≤ −18 °C18 months at ≤ −18 °C
Applies to: 48 product codes
- Frozen
- ≤ −18 °C18 months at ≤ −18 °C
Applies to: 19 product codes
- Chilled
- −2 °C to +3 °C21 days from production, vacuum packed
- Frozen
- ≤ −18 °C18 months at ≤ −18 °C
Applies to: 13 product codes
Temperatures and shelf life are recorded against the product specification and shown on each product page. Frozen product carries the longer shelf life; chilled product is scheduled against the delivery window agreed at order.
Carton and pallet configuration
There is no single house configuration. The catalogue currently publishes the configurations below, each attached to the product codes that use it.
Carton footprint 600 × 400 × 200 mm
- 7.5 kgProduct codes: 12
- Gross weight
- 8.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 2
- Cartons per pallet
- 40
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 6 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Others, Pork Shoulder
- 4.5 kgProduct codes: 12
- Gross weight
- 5.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 4
- Cartons per pallet
- 44
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 3.96 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Chops & Loins
- 22.5 kgProduct codes: 11
- Gross weight
- 23.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 1
- Cartons per pallet
- 44
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 19.8 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Others
- 22.5 kgProduct codes: 10
- Gross weight
- 23.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 1
- Cartons per pallet
- 48
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 21.6 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Pork Trimming
- 17.5 kgProduct codes: 9
- Gross weight
- 18.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 1
- Cartons per pallet
- 48
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 16.8 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Others
- 11 kgProduct codes: 8
- Gross weight
- 11.6 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 2
- Cartons per pallet
- 40
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 8.8 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Pork Leg
- 12.5 kgProduct codes: 7
- Gross weight
- 13.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 1
- Cartons per pallet
- 60
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 15 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Others
- 5.5 kgProduct codes: 6
- Gross weight
- 6.1 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 3
- Cartons per pallet
- 44
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 4.84 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Pork Belly
- 20 kgProduct codes: 5
- Gross weight
- 20.6 kg
- Pieces per carton
- 1
- Cartons per pallet
- 48
- Pallets per container
- 20
Approx. 19.2 tonnes per 40ft reefer
Others
Figures are per the published specification for the codes concerned. Loading quantities are indicative and are confirmed against the final order, the destination and the equipment booked.
Private label and customer-specific packing
Handled case by case and subject to volume and a written agreement. Send the requirement with the product codes and the commercial team will confirm what can be supplied.
Nothing is committed until it is written into the agreed specification. That is what the packing line works to and what a repeat order is checked against.
What to send with the enquiry
- Product codes and the quantity per code
- Destination market and the receiving business
- Required format — vacuum, individually wrapped, bagged, block frozen or cased only
- Carton weight or piece count you need to receive
- Artwork requirements, if the carton or the pack is to carry your own mark
- Language requirements for the label text
What comes back
- Confirmation of which requirements can be met against an agreed specification
- The configuration proposed for each code
- Anything that cannot be supplied as asked, stated as such
Export marking and traceability
Marking requirements are set by the destination and by the buyer, and they are checked against the specification before the carton is closed.
- Cartons carry the identification required for the destination market, agreed with the buyer before production.
- Label content and languages are confirmed against the destination requirement at specification stage.
- Each carton is traceable to its production record, so a query on a delivered pallet can be traced back to the day it was packed.
- Documentation accompanying the consignment is prepared against the destination requirement rather than a standard set.
Where a destination requires a mark, a certificate or wording this site does not list, send the requirement and it will be checked against what can be issued.
From enquiry to a fixed packing specification
Send the codes and the destination
Product codes, quantity, destination and how the product will be handled on arrival.
Configuration proposed
The commercial team returns the packing format, carton figures and loading quantity that apply to those codes.
Specification agreed
Anything customer-specific — format, carton weight, marking, language — is written into the specification and agreed in writing.
Production against the specification
The agreed specification is what the packing line works to, and what a repeat order is checked against.
Products with a published packing configuration
Each product page carries the format, carton figures and storage conditions recorded for that code.
Before you send a packing requirement
Six things that determine whether a configuration can be quoted straight away.
- The product codes, not just the cut name — configuration is set per code.
- Chilled or frozen. It changes the format, the shelf life and the paperwork.
- The destination market, including the receiving business where it is known.
- The carton weight or piece count you need to receive, if it is fixed at your end.
- Whether the carton or the pack must carry your own mark.
- Delivery window, so chilled product can be scheduled against it.
Related guidance
Request a packing specification
Contact Export Sales