Honey container size

Why your jar style and dimensions may be different

Believe it or not the most challenging part of beekeeping is not the daily stings, allergic reactions, or the physical labor in peak summer heat. The most challenging part of beekeeping is the sourcing of containers, pails and labels from a reliable supplier that can deliver in a cost effective manner, on time.

Since 2020 the cost of plastic pails has doubled and the cost of glass jars has more than tripled. Additionally, no matter where we order our containers from we rarely have the option of purchasing the exact same style of containers that we received in our last order.

As a result our jar and pail styles may vary. However rest assured that all of our containers are each in fact the precise weight that we advertise.

 

Does jar shape affect the amount of honey I purchased?

Ontario has very strict honey packaging regulations that all beekeepers must adhere to. The most relevant packaging requirement is that honey must be packaged by weight in standard jar sizes and not by jar volume.

Under the metric system of measurements 100 milliliters (volume) of water weighs 100 grams. However honey is a denser substance than water, which means that it weighs more than water per volume.

In fact:

250g of honey fills, and is packaged in a 190ml jar

500g of honey fills, and is packaged in a 375ml jar

1kg of honey fills, and is packaged in a 750ml jar

 

While some jars may be tall and narrow, and others may be short and wide, grams are grams and the scale doesn’t lie.

For more information on honey packaging regulations visit the government of Ontario Honey regulations website: 

Honey Packaging requirements