Agricultural marketing

Packaging 
Packaging is the first function performed in the marketing of agricultural commodities. It 
is required for nearly all farm products at every stage of the marketing process. The type 
of the container used in the packing of commodities varies with the type of the 
commodity as well as with the stage of marketing. For example, gunny bags are used for 
cereals, pulses and oilseeds when they are taken from the farm to the market. For 
packing milk or milk products, plastic, polythene, tin or glass containers are used.
Wooden boxes or straw baskets are used for packing fruits and vegetables. 
Meaning of Packing and Packaging: 
Packing means, the wrapping and crating of goods before they are transported. Goods 
have to be packed either to preserve them or for delivery to buyers. Packaging is a part 
of packing, which means placing the goods in small packages like bags, boxes, bottles or 
parcels for sale to the ultimate consumers. In other words, it means putting goods on the 
market in the size and pack which are convenient for the buyers. 
Advantages of Packing and Packaging: 
Packaging is a very useful function in the marketing process of agricultural commodities.
Most of the commodities are packed with a view to preserving and protecting their 
quality and quantity during the period of transit and storage. For some commodities, 
packing acts as a powerful selling tool. The chief advantages of packing and packaging 
are: 
1. It protects the goods against breakage, spoilage, leakage or pilferage during their 
movement from the production to the consumption point. 
2. The packaging of some commodities involves compression, which reduces the 
bulk like cotton, jute and wool. 

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3. It facilitates the handling of the commodity, specially such fruits as apples, 
mangoes, etc., during storage and transportation. 
4. It helps in quality- identification, product differentiation, branding and 
advertisement of the product, e.g., Hima peas and Amul butter. 
5. Packaging helps in reducing the marketing costs by reducing the handling and 
retailing costs. 
6. It helps in checking adulteration. 
7. Packaging ensures cleanliness of the product. 
8. Packaging with labeling facilitates the conveying of instructions to the buyers as 
to how to use or preserve the commodity. The label shows the composition of the 
product. 
9. Packaging prolongs the storage quality of the products by providing protection 
from the ill effects of weather, specially for fruits, vegetables and other perishable 
goods.