These abbreviations identify common flower-box formats. They describe relative box sizes in industry use:

  • EB = Eighth Box
  • QB = Quarter Box
  • HB = Half Box
  • FB = Full Box

 

How do box formats vary by origin and farm?

ECUADOR

The examples below show possible rose packs by stem length. They are not standards or current offers and must be confirmed with the grower. Partner farms in Ecuador:

  • 40 cm roses: HB: 300, 350, 400, or 500 stems; QB: 100-125-150 st
  • 50 cm roses: HB: 300, 350, 400, or 500 stems; QB: 100-125-150 st
  • 60 cm roses: HB: 300, 350, 400, or 500 stems; QB: 100-125-150 st
  • 70 cm roses: HB: 250, 300, 350, or 400 stems; QB: 100 st
  • 80 cm roses: HB: 200, 250, 300, 350, or 400 stems; QB:100 st
  • 90 cm and longer roses: HB: 200, 250, or 300 stems.

Many farms avoid QB packing for 80, 90, or 100 cm roses and for selected large-bloom cultivars because the box may not provide suitable protection. Confirm the farm’s current packing recommendation.

Ecuador has no single universal box dimension for every farm. Carton supplier, box design, cultivar, stem length, and packing method can therefore change the number of bunches or stems per box.

HB packing can be efficient for airfreight on some programs, but freight is charged by the actual route, weight, volume, and carrier rules. Compare the landed cost rather than assuming HB is always optimal.

Ecuadorian farms often pack roses in 25-stem bunches, while selected cultivars may use 20-stem bunches, in HB or QB formats. Stem count per box depends on bloom size, stem length, cultivar, current product availability, box stock, and the farm’s packing standard. Note that QB means Quarter Box, not ‘Quattro Box.’

COLOMBIA

Colombian farms also use varying box dimensions and stem counts. Roses may be packed in 25-stem bunches in HB and, less often, QB formats, subject to the grower’s program.

Stem count should not be generalized by origin. Compare the specific Colombian and Ecuadorian farm, cultivar, box dimensions, and packing method.

  • 40 cm roses: HB: 300, 350, or 400 stems; QB: 100 st
  • 50 cm roses: HB: 300 or 350 stems; QB: 100 st
  • 60 cm roses: HB: 250 or 300 stems; QB: 100 st
  • 70 cm roses: HB: 200–250 stems; QB: 100 st
  • 80 cm and longer roses: HB: 200–250 stems; QB: 100 st

HB can be a cost-efficient format on some airfreight routes; confirm the current chargeable weight and box dimensions before choosing it.

KENYA

For the Kenyan section, confirm the farm’s bunch and box specification. The following historical ranges are illustrative only and require a current supplier check:

  • 40 cm roses: 160–300 stems
  • 50 cm roses: 140–260 stems
  • 60 cm roses: 120–240 stems