Bulk Olive Oil Export Formats: Flexitank, IBC, Drum

Which format to export bulk olive oil?

Three formats dominate bulk olive oil export: the flexitank (~22,000 L, 1 per 20' container), the IBC of 1,000 L (20 per 20') and the drum of 200 to 216 L (40 per 20'). The flexitank offers the lowest cost per tonne for large volumes; the IBC brings flexibility; the drum suits small lots and tests. One litre of oil weighs about 0.913 kg.

Zitouna Export delivers these three formats ex Tunisia (Sfax/Radès), with a COA per lot, for extra virgin, virgin and organic. The right choice depends on your volume, your unloading logistics and your budget per tonne.

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Comparison table: flexitank vs IBC vs drum

Format	Capacity	Per 20' container	Total 20' capacity	Indicative MOQ	Typical use	Filling / unloading
Flexitank	~22,000 L	1 per 20'	~22,000 L (~20,000 kg)	1 flexitank	Large volumes, trading, industry	Pump; single-use, non-reusable
IBC	1,000 L	×20	~20,000 L (~18,300 kg)	2 IBC	Intermediate volumes, distribution	Valve + palletised; reusable/returnable
Drum	200 / 216 L	×40	~8,000–8,640 L (~7,300–7,900 kg)	10 drums	Small lots, tests, emerging brands	Bung; unit handling

Density used: 0.913 kg/L. Indicative capacities, excluding load tolerances and the actual container fill rate. July 2026 �.

Estimate your load precisely (litres/kg per 20' or 40', per format) with our container loading calculator.

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Flexitank ~22,000 L: the lowest cost per tonne

The flexitank is a single-use flexible bladder installed in a standard 20' container. It allows loading of about 22,000 litres in a single operation, i.e. nearly 20,000 kg of oil (at 0.913 kg/L).

• Advantages: lowest cost per tonne, fast filling/unloading by pumping, no pallets or drums to manage.
• Limitations: single-use (non-reusable), requires an unloading station on arrival, commits to a large volume in one go.
• For whom: traders, volume bottlers, food industry, blenders.

It is the reference format for buyers who handle full containers and want to optimise the landed price. Compare its impact on your margin with the export cost calculator.

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IBC 1,000 L: flexibility

The IBC (intermediate bulk container) is a 1,000-litre tank, palletised, stackable and generally reusable. About 20 are loaded per 20' container, i.e. ~20,000 L.

• Advantages: flexible handling (pallet truck/forklift), fractional unloading, easy buffer storage, reusable/returnable.
• Limitations: higher cost per tonne than the flexitank, higher empty weight.
• For whom: distributors, packers who unload progressively, markets without a dedicated pumping station.

The IBC is the right compromise when you do not consume a flexitank all at once but exceed the small lot in drums.

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Drum 200-216 L: small lots and tests

The drum of 200 to 216 litres (food-grade steel or HDPE) is loaded at about 40 per 20' container, i.e. ~8,000 to 8,640 L.

• Advantages: ideal for a first trial, a volume sample, a market test or an emerging brand; unit handling.
• Limitations: highest cost per tonne of the three, more handling.
• For whom: brand builders, e-tailers, HORECA, buyers who validate quality before moving to the flexitank.

The drum is often the entry point: you test in drums, then scale up in IBC or flexitank.

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Density and container fill calculation

To convert volume and weight, use the density of olive oil: ~0.913 kg/L. Thus:

• 22,000 L (flexitank) ≈ 20,090 kg.
• 1,000 L (IBC) ≈ 913 kg per tank.
• 216 L (drum) ≈ 197 kg per drum.

The actual fill rate of a container also depends on the maximum payload and palletisation. Never size a shipment "by the litre" without checking the allowable gross weight of the container and the port.

Our container loading calculator does the litres ↔ kg calculation per format, in 20' as in 40'.

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Packaged: beyond bulk

Beyond semi-bulk, oil can be delivered packaged under a label (private label): Marasca or Dorica bottles of 250/500/750 ml and 1 L, metal cans 1 to 5 L, PET 5 L. These formats fall under the private label offer and require, for retail, an IFS Food or BRCGS certification.

Bulk favours volume and cash flow; packaged targets margin. Many buyers combine the two.

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Buyer side / seller side

The choice of format commits the logistics and landed price on both sides.

Buyer side (importer, distributor)	Seller side (exporter, brand)
Choose the format based on your unloading capacity (pump for flexitank, dock for IBC), calculate the landed price per tonne, verify the allowable gross weight and the incoterm (FOB/CIF).	Optimise container filling, quote the format that protects the margin, secure the stowage (braced flexitank) and document the net weight per lot at COA.
CTA: request a quote	CTA: train in export

Shared golden rule: validate the format and gross weight before quoting — a loading error wipes out the margin.

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FAQ — Bulk olive oil export formats

Flexitank, IBC or drums: which packaging to choose?

Choose the flexitank (~22,000 L) for large volumes at the lowest cost/tonne, the IBC (1,000 L) for unloading flexibility, and the drum (200-216 L) for small lots, tests and emerging brands. The choice depends on your volume and your unloading capacity.

How many litres in a 20' container?

About 22,000 L in flexitank (1 per 20'), 20,000 L in IBC (20 × 1,000 L) or 8,000 to 8,640 L in drums (40 × 200-216 L). Convert to weight with the density 0.913 kg/L, or use the container loading calculator.

What is the density of olive oil?

The density of olive oil is about 0.913 kg/L. One litre therefore weighs ~0.913 kg, and 1,000 kg occupy ~1,095 L. This is the key to converting €/kg ↔ €/L and estimating the net weight of a load.

How much does a full flexitank of olive oil weigh?

A 22,000 L flexitank weighs about 20,090 kg of oil (at 0.913 kg/L), excluding the weight of the container and bladder. Always check the allowable gross weight of the container and port before setting the volume.

How many drums of olive oil in a 20' container?

About 40 drums of 200 to 216 L are loaded in a 20' container, i.e. ~8,000 to 8,640 L (~7,300 to 7,900 kg). In 40', capacity increases depending on palletisation and allowable gross weight.

Is the flexitank reusable?

No. The flexitank is single-use: the flexible bladder is installed and then destroyed after unloading. The IBC, on the other hand, is generally reusable or returnable, and the drum can be reused depending on its material.

Which format for a first order or a test?

The drum (200-216 L) is ideal for a first trial or a market test: you validate quality and logistics before moving to the IBC or flexitank. The indicative MOQ is 10 drums.

What is the MOQ per format?

Indicative MOQ: 1 flexitank, 2 IBC (2,000 L) or 10 drums (~2,000 L). We also deliver the full container and can combine several formats in a single shipment.

Does the format affect the price of the oil?

Yes. The cost per tonne is lowest in flexitank, intermediate in IBC and highest in drums, because of the packaging and handling. Quantify the impact with the export cost calculator.

Can a 40' container be loaded instead of a 20'?

Yes for IBC and drums (more units depending on palletisation and allowable gross weight). The flexitank is in principle placed in a standard 20'. The container loading calculator handles both sizes.

Do you also deliver packaged oil (bottles, cans)?

Yes, under private label: Marasca/Dorica bottles 250 ml to 1 L, cans 1-5 L, PET 5 L. For retail, an IFS/BRC certification is required. See our private label offer.

Which incoterm with these formats?

For a first order, FOB (goods loaded at Radès) is the standard; CIF includes freight and insurance to the destination port. Details on our incoterms guide.

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Request your quote by format

Volume, format (flexitank/IBC/drum), incoterm, destination market, organic or conventional, category (extra virgin/virgin): give us your needs and we will send you a dated quote and a reference sample with its COA.

Request a quote — drawer pre-filled with "Export formats".

Lead magnet: download our Guide to Olive Oil Export (formats, loading, incoterms, documentary checklist).