Technical specification

What does prune calibre 40/50 mean?

Calibre is the basic parameter used to grade prunes and the one buyers select against. The same number, however, does not describe the same fruit size in the European and the American system.

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Direct answer

How are prune calibres measured?

A 40/50 designation means 40 to 50 prunes in the stated sample mass. Under UNECE DDP-07 the basis may be 500 grams or one 453 gram pound, so the unit must accompany the designation. A lower count means a larger average fruit only within the same measurement basis.

Decision data

Example calibres on a 500 gram basis

The table shows numerical designations when the basis is 500 grams. Fruit mass is a mathematical approximation from the count range, not a SANFRUT specification. Available calibres are confirmed with a quotation.

Calibre	Count / 500 g	Approximate mass per fruit
30/40	30–40	12.5–16.7 g
40/50	40–50	10.0–12.5 g
50/60	50–60	8.3–10.0 g
60/70	60–70	7.1–8.3 g
70/80	70–80	6.3–7.1 g
80/90	80–90	5.6–6.3 g

Direct answer

Why does the same number mean two different sizes?

The number alone is not enough to compare quotations. Current UNECE DDP-07 permits fruit count per 500 grams or per one 453 gram pound, while USDA uses the pound. UNECE states that designations on the two bases are not directly correlated, so every quotation should identify both the standard and sample mass.

Reference values

How the current UNECE DDP-07 expresses size

The 2025 standard permits descriptive and numerical size categories. Quotes should state the weight basis, product presentation and whether sizing was performed after pitting.

Rule	Value
Measurement basis	Count per 500 g or per pound (453 g)
Relationship between bases	The 500 g and pound designations are not directly correlated
Numerical category	Average count range, for example 30/40 or 90/120
Pitted prunes	Sized after pitting
Pressure-pitted product	Sizing is optional
Quality classes	Class I and Class II according to permitted defects

Source checked on 6 September 2026: UNECE DDP-07, 2025 edition. The calibre table shows numerical notation; available SANFRUT calibres are confirmed with the quote. UNECE DDP-07 — 2025 edition (PDF)