Flexitank for bulk olive oil: ~22,000 L, the lowest cost

In brief

The flexitank is a single-use flexible bladder installed inside a standard 20' container. It allows you to load about 22,000 liters of olive oil in a single operation, i.e. nearly 20,000 kg (density 0.913 kg/L). It is the format that offers the lowest cost per tonne: no drums or pallets to manage, filling and discharge by pumping. In exchange, it commits you to a large single volume and assumes a discharge station on arrival. It is the standard for traders, volume bottlers and industrial buyers handling full containers.

Zitouna Export delivers flexitank out of Tunisia (Sfax / Radès), with a COA per lot, for extra virgin as well as organic.

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What is a flexitank?

A flexitank (or flexibag) is a multilayer flexible bladder made of food-grade polyethylene, inserted into a previously lined standard 20' shipping container. It is filled on site by pumping, then emptied the same way at destination. It is destroyed after use: it is not reusable.

This system turns a dry container into a disposable tank, without the cost or return logistics of a rigid tank (ISO tank). It is today the dominant shipping method for bulk olive oil over long distances.

Characteristic	Indicative value
Usable capacity	~22,000 L (18,000 to 24,000 L depending on model)
Weight of oil (0.913 kg/L)	~20,090 kg for 22,000 L
Per 20' container	1 flexitank
Reusable	No — single use
Filling / discharge	By pump
Indicative MOQ	1 flexitank (1 container)

Density used: 0.913 kg/L. Indicative capacities, excluding load tolerances and permissible gross weight. July 2026 �.

Calculate liters ↔ kg and the fill rate with our packing calculator.

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Why the flexitank is the cheapest format per tonne

The cost per tonne of oil shipped depends on packaging and handling. The flexitank minimizes both:

• No reusable container to amortize or return: a single, inexpensive disposable bladder.
• A single filling and discharge point by pumping, versus 20 valves (IBC) or 40 bungs (drums).
• No pallets, no strapping, handling reduced to the strict minimum.
• Optimal container filling: you use almost all the usable volume of a 20'.

The result: on a full container, the flexitank shows the most competitive delivered price per tonne of the three bulk formats. Compare with the IBC and the drum.

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Advantages and limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Lowest cost per tonne	Single use, not reusable
Fast filling / discharge by pump	Requires a discharge station (pump) on arrival
No pallets or drums to manage	Commits you to ~22,000 L in one go
Optimal 20' container filling	A single lot per flexitank (no splitting)
Reduces breakage and handling losses	Securing / bracing to arrange (baffle, bulkhead)

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For whom? Typical use cases

The flexitank is aimed at buyers who consume by the full container:

• Traders who redistribute bulk oil.
• Volume bottlers who package under their own brand.
• Food industry (sauces, canned goods, prepared meals).
• Blenders and refiners.

If you do not consume ~22,000 L at once, or if you do not have a discharge pump, the 1,000 L IBC is more flexible, and the 200-216 L drum suits first trials.

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Logistics and transport safety

A full flexitank is a liquid mass of ~20 tonnes that can shift in transit. Safety relies on:

• A 20' container suitable for flexitank, lined and inspected (no nails, sound walls).
• A securing / baffle system limiting the sloshing of the liquid.
• Compliance with the permissible gross weight of the container and of the departure / arrival port.
• A pumping station available for discharge.

Never size a shipment "by the liter" without checking the container payload. Details on the maritime side in our sea transport guide and the choice of incoterm.

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Density and load calculation

Remember the density of olive oil: ~0.913 kg/L.

• 22,000 L ≈ 20,090 kg.
• 20,000 kg ≈ 21,900 L.
• To convert €/kg ↔ €/L, divide or multiply by 0.913.

The actual fill rate depends on the flexitank model and the permissible gross weight. Our packing calculator does the calculation for a 20'.

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Buyer side / seller side

Buyer side (importer, bottler)	Seller side (exporter, brand)
Check discharge capacity (pump), calculate the delivered price per tonne, verify the permissible gross weight and the incoterm (FOB/CIF), plan for receiving a single lot.	Optimize container filling, secure the stowage (baffle), document the net weight on the COA per lot and guarantee the quality of the food-grade flexitank.
CTA: request a quote	CTA: train for export

Golden rule: validate the format and gross weight before quoting — a packing error wipes out the margin.

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FAQ — Flexitank for olive oil

How many liters in a flexitank of olive oil?

About 22,000 liters per 20' container, depending on the model (generally 18,000 to 24,000 L). At 0.913 kg/L, this represents nearly 20,000 kg of oil. Always check the permissible gross weight of the container and port before fixing the exact volume.

How much does a full flexitank of olive oil weigh?

A flexitank of 22,000 L weighs about 20,090 kg of oil (at 0.913 kg/L), excluding the weight of the container and bladder. This is close to a 20' payload, hence the importance of checking the permissible load before loading.

Is the flexitank reusable?

No. The flexitank is a single-use bladder: it is installed, filled, emptied, then destroyed (and recycled where the channel exists). For a reusable container, see the IBC or the drum.

Why is the flexitank the cheapest format?

Because it minimizes packaging (a single disposable bladder, no pallets or drums) and handling (filling/discharge by pump, a single point). On a full container, it offers the lowest cost per tonne of the three bulk formats.

Is special equipment needed to empty a flexitank?

Yes: a pump and a connection point. Discharge is done by gravity or pumping, into your storage tanks. Without a discharge station, the IBC (valve, handling by pallet truck) is more suitable.

What is the MOQ for flexitank?

The MOQ is 1 flexitank, i.e. a full 20' container (~22,000 L / ~20,000 kg). Below this volume, the IBC (from 2 tanks) or the drum (from 10 units) are more appropriate.

Is the flexitank suitable for extra virgin olive oil?

Yes. The food-grade multilayer bladder protects the oil from light and limits contact with air. To preserve the quality of an extra virgin, rapid discharge and storage away from light and oxygen remain essential.

Can a flexitank be loaded into a 40' container?

In practice, the flexitank is placed in a standard 20': it is the reference format for supporting the liquid load. A 40' brings no volume advantage here because it is the weight (payload) that limits, not space.

How many flexitanks per shipment?

One flexitank per 20' container. For a larger volume, containers are multiplied. We can quote several flexitanks, or combine formats according to your logistical needs.

Which incoterm to choose for a flexitank?

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

Which category of oil can be shipped in flexitank?

All bulk categories: extra virgin, virgin, organic or conventional. The format does not affect the category, but the delivered price per tonne. Each lot is accompanied by its COA (certificate of analysis) issued by an accredited laboratory.

Is there a risk of leakage or contamination?

The risk is controlled with a certified food-grade flexitank, an inspected container and correct stowage. The quality of the bladder and the inspection of the container are decisive — which is why we document the net weight and quality per lot.

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Request your flexitank quotation

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

Request a free quote — drawer pre-filled "Flexitank ~22,000 L".

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

See also: all formats · 1,000 L IBC · 200-216 L drum.