Autumn is when many UK makers put up the biggest batches of the year. Blackberries, plums, apples and early citrus all arrive in a short window, and jars that felt plentiful in summer can disappear from the shelf just when you need them most.
The best approach is to choose your jar sizes, lids and pack quantities before the glut peaks, so you can fill, label and sell without last-minute scrambles.
At Bottle Company South we supply jam jars and matching lids in case packs for home makers, farm shops and small producers. Ordering a little ahead of the rush keeps your season calm and your shelves looking ready for customers.
What fruit comes when (and what that means for jars)
A simple seasonal map helps you plan which jars to have ready:
- Late summer into early autumn: blackberries, early plums, soft fruit leftovers from summer. Smaller and medium jam jars suit gift sets, market stalls and farm-shop shelves.
- Mid autumn: apples, pears and mixed orchard fruit for jams, jellies and butters. Round and hexagonal jars both work well; hexagonal styles are popular where labelling and stacking matter.
- Late autumn into winter: marmalade citrus and darker preserves. Keep a mix of classic clear jars for everyday ranges and a few more distinctive shapes for gift lines.
You do not need every size on day one. Start with the sizes you sell most often, then add specialty shapes once the first batches are under control.
Which jam jar sizes to prioritise
Match jar size to how you sell, not only to how much fruit you have:
- Small jars (around 42ml–106ml): sampling, wedding and gift lines, hotel breakfast sets, and “try before you buy” packs.
- Everyday retail (around 190ml–280ml): the workhorse for farm shops and markets. Easy to price, easy to label, easy for customers to finish.
- Larger jars (around 370ml–720ml+): family jars, catering, and makers who sell fewer, higher-fill units.
If you sell both at markets and online, a medium “hero” size plus one small gift size usually covers most of the season without overcomplicating stock.
Do not forget the lids
Jars without the right lids slow you down when fruit is ready. Twist-off and deep twist-off lids need to match the jar neck, and colour choice (gold, silver and others) helps your range look consistent on the shelf. Check that each jar you plan to fill has lids available in the pack size you need, and order lids with the jars rather than as an afterthought.
Round, hexagonal or both?
- Round jars are the classic preserve look. They fill efficiently and suit most labels.
- Hexagonal jars stand out on a crowded farm-shop shelf, stack neatly, and give flat faces that are easy to label.
Many makers run a core round range for everyday flavours and a hexagonal line for premium or gift flavours. That split keeps production simple while still giving customers a reason to pick up something special.
How much to order before the glut
A practical rule for autumn:
- Look at last year’s sales (or last month’s market takings) for your best-selling size.
- Order enough of that size to cover your first two to three busy weeks of filling.
- Add a smaller buffer of gift sizes and lids.
- Reorder once fruit is in and you know which flavours are actually flying.
If you are moving from hobby batches into selling, start with a case of your main size rather than trying to stock every option. You can always step up pack quantities later, including larger orders and collection from our Keynsham warehouse when you are taking six or more cases by arrangement.
Labelling and presentation tips for autumn stock
Autumn shelves are busy. Clear labels, consistent lid colour, and a jar shape that matches your brand help customers choose quickly. Leave enough clear glass to show the colour of the preserve. That visual cue sells as hard as the flavour name on the label.
Conclusion: be ready before the fruit is
The makers who enjoy autumn most are usually the ones who sorted jars and lids before the blackberries and apples piled up. Choose your core retail size, add a small gift size if you need it, match the lids, and keep a simple reorder plan once the season is under way.
Explore our jam jars
Browse our jam jars for round and hexagonal styles with lids, or call the team on 0117 986 9667 if you want help matching jar, lid and pack size for your autumn range.