A first-order planner for private label IQF vegetables from Indonesia. Realistic per-SKU MOQs, printed bag MOQs, LCL vs FCL options, and a step-by-step timeline from artwork approval to ETD—so you can place a feasible trial order without surprises.
If you’re planning a first private-label run of IQF vegetables from Indonesia, two questions matter most: What’s the real MOQ and how long will it take? We’ve managed dozens of first orders, and the patterns are consistent. Below is the planning guide we wish every buyer had before sending a PO.
What’s a realistic MOQ per SKU in Indonesia?
In our experience, most Indonesian IQF plants will aim for production efficiency while still supporting trial orders. Here’s what we see consistently across common items:
- Retail-packed IQF (500 g or 1 kg bags): 1–2 MT per SKU for trials. 3–5 MT is more typical for steady programs.
- Bulk 10 kg or 20 kg cartons: 2–3 MT per SKU for trials.
- Line-intensive items (pre-fried or hand-trimmed): 3–5 MT per SKU for trials. For example, pre-fried Premium Frozen Potatoes usually need larger batches than straight-pack vegetables.
For mainstream SKUs like Premium Frozen Sweet Corn, Frozen Mixed Vegetables, Premium Frozen Okra, or Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed, factories are generally flexible at 1–2 MT per SKU on a first order, assuming your total shipment is meaningful.
Takeaway: If you’re building a first load, plan 1–2 MT per SKU for standard IQF. Expect higher MOQs for pre-fried or labor-heavy SKUs.
Can I mix SKUs to meet a factory or container MOQ?
Yes. Indonesian IQF suppliers will let you combine SKUs to reach a viable production plan or container fill. A practical first order looks like 8–12 MT total, spread across 6–10 SKUs. We regularly build mixed loads of corn, mixed veg, okra, and bell peppers.
Pallet math matters. A retail-packed IQF pallet typically nets 700–900 kg. So a “1 MT per SKU” trial often means 1–1.5 pallets per SKU. We like to plan per-pallet increments so capacity and customs documentation stay clean.
Takeaway: You can mix SKUs freely. Structure your PO in pallet increments and target at least 8 MT total for smoother production slotting and freight.
Do factories accept LCL reefer for trials?
Some do, with caveats. LCL reefer consolidations are available from Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) and Surabaya (Tanjung Perak), but space can be sporadic and handling fees add up. We recommend at least 3–4 pallets total to justify LCL costs and reduce risk. If you’re below that, consider bulk packing in plain bags first to keep it simple and economical.
Takeaway: LCL works for 2–4 pallets. FCL is safer and cheaper per MT once you’re above ~8–10 pallets.
How long does the first order take with custom printed bags?
Here’s the thing. The bag often determines your timeline, not the vegetable. Gravure-printed bags in Indonesia typically have higher MOQs and longer lead times than the production itself.
- Gravure-printed bag MOQ per design: 10,000–30,000 pcs. Commonly 20,000 for a 1 kg pouch. Lead time 3–5 weeks from artwork approval to delivery at the plant.
- Digital print (short-run) MOQ per design: 1,000–3,000 pcs. Lead time 1–2 weeks. Cost per unit is higher and not all films are offered.
If you’re testing multiple SKUs and want to avoid printing MOQs, start with plain or generic bags plus a back-label sticker. Then move to gravure once sales stabilize.
Takeaway: With printed bags, expect 6–8 weeks to ETD. With plain bags, 2–4 weeks is realistic if raw material and line time are available.
What are the exact steps from PO to shipment?
Below is the sequence we use to keep first orders on-track. Timings are typical, not promises, and assume IQF vegetables MOQ Indonesia standards.
- Packaging and spec alignment (2–5 days). Confirm SKU list, cuts, bag sizes, carton specs, pallet height, labeling language, and destination compliance.
- Artwork and printer approval (3–10 days). You or our design team finalize dielines. Pre-press checks prevent cylinder rework.
- Bag production (1–5 weeks). Digital is faster but costlier. Gravure needs cylinders, hence longer lead time.
- PO, deposit, and production slot scheduling (2–7 days). We lock a slot based on raw material availability and freezing capacity.
- Raw material allocation and processing (3–10 days). Washing, cutting, blanching if required, IQF freezing, weight checks, packing.
- Quality testing and release (3–10 days). Micro tests are 3–5 working days. Pesticide residue panels, if requested, are typically 7–10 working days.
- Export cold chain and logistics (7–14 days pre-ETD). Reefer booking, VGM, container pre-trip inspection, cold storage marshalling, final docs. Stuffing at -18°C or below.
- Documentation (3–5 days post-stuffing). Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, health/related certificates as needed by your market.
A well-run first order with printed bags lands in the 6–8 week range from artwork approval to ETD. Plain-bag trials often ship in 2–4 weeks.
Need a sanity check on your timeline or a quick slot check? You can Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll map out a realistic ETD based on current capacity.
What packaging artwork and specs do I need to start printing?
From hard-learned experience, clean specs save weeks. Provide:
- Editable vector file (AI/PSD) plus outlined PDF and print-ready dieline.
- Film structure and thickness. Common: PET12/PE70–90 for 1 kg. Matte or gloss. Zipper or pillow. Euro hole if needed.
- Pantone references, barcode (EAN/UPC) placement, and scannability proof.
- Legal copy for your market. Net weight, storage instructions (Store at -18°C), country of origin, lot coding format, nutrition panel style, allergen declarations, recycling symbol.
- Code area definition for date/lot printing.
If you’re undecided, start with a generic film and apply a back label. It’s faster and cheaper than reprinting cylinders over a comma you don’t like.
Which 2025 holidays or seasons stretch lead times in Indonesia?
We plan around three recurring bottlenecks, plus a couple of seasonal quirks.
- Lunar New Year. 29 January 2025. Short shutdowns at printers and some logistics providers. Book bags and reefer space early.
- Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Expected around early March to end of March 2025, with Idul Fitri holidays spilling into early April. Plants and ports slow or close. Production slots shift, drayage gets tight, and LCL consolidations become irregular.
- Eid al-Adha. Early June 2025. Short closures and trucking constraints.
- Year-end surge. October to December. Reefer equipment tightness and port congestion affect schedules and rates.
- Rainy season. November to April. Harvest patterns shift in some regions. Quality screening and drying times may extend for certain crops.
Practical takeaway: For March–April 2025 shipments, lock packaging in February and book reefer space at least 2–3 weeks ahead. For Q4 programs, build buffer weeks and consider earlier ETDs.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
We see smart buyers trip over the same issues. Here’s how to sidestep them.
- Leaving the bag spec vague. Printers can’t start without a final dieline and film spec. Freeze your spec before PO to avoid a 1–2 week slip.
- Treating LCL like FCL. LCL reefer works, but expect extra handling, longer cut-offs, and consolidation windows. Add a week of buffer and insist on temperature data loggers.
- Ignoring pallet height and case count. Your destination DC may cap height at 1.6–1.7 m. If you don’t align this early, you’ll end up re-palletizing or wasting cube.
- Pesticide and micro tests after packing. If your market requires certificates, plan the sampling schedule before production so labs run in parallel, not after.
Example first-order builds
Two patterns that consistently ship smoothly.
- LCL trial. 6 pallets total. 3 SKUs x 2 pallets each. 1.2 MT per SKU of Frozen Mixed Vegetables, Premium Frozen Sweet Corn, and Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed. Plain bags with back labels. Lead time 2–4 weeks.
- FCL starter program. 10–12 MT mixed. 6–8 SKUs including Premium Frozen Okra and a small run of pre-fried Premium Frozen Potatoes. Gravure-printed bags for top-3 SKUs, plain for the rest. Lead time 6–8 weeks from artwork approval.
Final thoughts
The reality is, your first order succeeds on the strength of your packaging timeline and production slot, not just pricing. Nail those two and everything else gets easier. If you’d like us to review your SKU list and suggest a viable MOQ mix with current slot availability, View our products and jot down what you need. Then ping us when you’re ready to pressure-test the plan.