I have a hard time understanding why anybody would favorize Hippeastrums with smaller bulbs. I am yet to know any Hippeastrum, the bulbs of which would CONSUME more AREA than the whole plant in full leaf.
I clearly favorize Hippeastrums with large bulbs. There is particularly some Cybister-papilio hybrids which do produce nice, big, almost globular bulbs but rather small leaves. I am yet to learn about the least disadvantage from that...
I first retrieved the idea, the concept "breeding for small bulbs" stated by HADECO - and it might make some sense for commercials, maximing the number of bulbs per weight in order to minimize the Transportation expenses in the first-place. As a private breeder, this is not a point of consideration for me. Actually, from my batches of seedlings I generally select, for further cultivation until maiden-bloom, by the criteria 1)highest number of leaves 2)broadest leaves 3)BIGGEST BULBS.

You have a point haweha. If I have a greenhouse or unlimited space, big bulbs look more "exciting", think Boophane and Ammocharis. But with Hippeastrum, I actually like smaller bulb with more slender and shorter leaves, and leaves that emerge with the flower as they compliment each other very well. This way I can use a smaller pot and pack more plants on the windowsill. Good fragrance is nice too. If I have a greenhouse and space is no object, I might still opt for smaller bulbs as it is easier to move smaller pots around.

Small bulbs allow more flowers per sq meter for the cut flower industry.
K