Category: Finance | Title: Butterbean Weight: Current Data on the Average Weight and Market Value of Butter Beans | Tag: Agriculture | Meta Description: Current data on butterbean weight, average market prices, and key producing companies and regions...
Average Butterbean Weight and Standard Sizes
Butterbeans are a type of large, flat lima bean, and their weight per unit depends on whether they are sold fresh, frozen, or dried. In commercial produce grading, a standard bushel of fresh butterbeans weighs approximately 30 to 35 pounds, with individual beans typically ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 grams each. For dried butterbeans, the USDA grades them by size count per pound, with a common retail weight of about 1 pound (454 grams) per bag. The average weight of a single dried butterbean is roughly 0.3 to 0.5 grams, depending on variety and moisture content. These figures are based on the latest USDA grading standards and commodity reports, which define butterbean weight in terms of count per pound and bushel weight for pricing and trade USDA.
In consumer packaging, frozen butterbean packages commonly sold in U.S. grocery stores list net weights of 12 to 16 ounces (340 to 454 grams), with individual bean weights averaging around 1 gram. Canned butterbeans are typically sold in 15-ounce (425-gram) cans, where drained beans weigh slightly less due to added liquid. The weight differences between fresh, frozen, and canned formats affect both retail pricing and recipe yields. For bulk buyers, butterbean weight per metric ton is a key metric in contracts with processors, with dried beans averaging about 1,000 to 1,200 pounds per bushel depending on moisture levels FAO.
Butterbean Weight in Commercial Trade and Pricing
In futures and spot markets, butterbean weight is tied to the bushel and hundredweight units used for legume pricing. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service sets standards that define a bushel of shelled butterbeans at 30 pounds, and pricing is often quoted per hundredweight (cwt), with recent cash bids ranging from $20 to $40 per cwt depending on quality and region. These weight standards ensure that buyers and sellers use a consistent measure when contracting for large volumes. The weight-to-price ratio affects profitability for growers, processors, and distributors in the supply chain USDA AMS.
Major processors and distributors of butterbeans include companies such as Del Monte, Green Giant, and various regional cooperatives in the U.S. South, where the majority of commercial butterbean acreage is harvested. These companies use standardized weight specifications for bulk shipments to ensure consistency across retail and food service channels. The weight of butterbeans also influences shipping costs, as freight is often calculated by volume and weight combined. In export markets, butterbean weight per container is a critical factor for logistics planning and cost estimation Forbes.
Factors Affecting Butterbean Weight and Quality
Butterbean weight per bean is influenced by variety, growing conditions, irrigation, and harvest timing. Larger-seeded varieties such as Fordhook and Henderson can produce individual beans that weigh closer to 1.5 grams when fully mature, while smaller varieties may average under 0.5 grams. Soil fertility, particularly potassium and phosphorus levels, directly impacts seed size and overall butterbean weight at harvest. Consistent moisture during the pod-filling stage is essential for achieving uniform weight and minimizing shriveled or lightweight beans in a batch UN Sustainable Development.
Post-harvest handling also affects the measured weight of butterbeans, as moisture loss during drying and storage can reduce weight by 5 to 10 percent. Proper curing and storage at low humidity levels help maintain target weight and prevent shrinkage. For processors, weight verification is performed using calibrated scales and