Generally speaking, most manufacturers will require anywhere between a 20' container to 40' container in order to private label, due to the high costs of creating and packaging your own brand. As a general rule, the first container or two are usually just breakeven for the manufacturer, with the hopes that more sales are on their way.
However, like tomcat explained, it all depends on the contract that you have set up with the manufacturer. Sometimes we can be flexible based on the outlook of a particular client, sometimes not.
There is a possibility as well, depending on what types of packaging you are looking at, at putting together a "mixed container" of different sizes and blends (regular coffee, instant coffee, capppucino, etc) and working out a longer term deal to supply those and give the client a better mix to sell.
All we do is manufacture for private label, so if you need any more specific information, you can always feel free to contact me and I'll try to help the best I can.
Best of luck to you.
Tell us how you really feel. Believe it or not a lot of people want to private label their coffee. Especially when they are proud of their business. More and more the larger companies, coffee or otherwise, super markets as an example, all use their own private label on many products. It gives them a sense of identy by putting their name on something and brings them more customer loyality. So it gives the smaller operator that same sense of importance. We've helped a number of small operators do this through private labeling whereas some of the larger roasters will not do this service for them because they would rather see their own name in lights. I'm just happy to serve my customer. As for your comment about private labeling being silly. I have to disagree, that's like telling your customer, "You don't know what you want." And as a roaster I don't let bad product leave my shop, and any good roaster out there will tell you that our reputation rests on good, fresh roasted coffee. Our course if you are not a roaster you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between coffee that was roasted two days ago or seven days ago. However, I do agree that you should find a roaster you like, and if you have an opportunity to visit them.
