What Are Microgreens?
One of the most profitable crops you can plant is microgreens. These are the tender leaves of salad vegetables including celery, beets, and rocket that are selected shortly after the first leaves appear. Microgreens may be made from a wide variety of edible plant species. The most widely consumed common vegetable species are those in the Brassicaceae family.
How Much Can You Sell Microgreens For?
Growers that cultivate microgreens frequently set a goal price of $40 per pound or more. When you do your research, you'll discover that the cost of microgreens varies based on the type and quality of the product, and it may start at about $2.00 per ounce. Nonetheless, the typical wholesale cost of microgreens is between $25 and $40 per pound. The gross earnings per tray, after deducting production expenses, range from $8.5 to $14.8.
Microgreens Sales Potential: Weekly and Monthly Estimates
To estimate the potential earnings from selling microgreens, let's consider a few factors:
- Tray size and yield: Assume a standard tray yields 1-2 pounds of microgreens.
- Production frequency: Assume 4-6 harvests per month, depending on the variety and growth rate.
- Gross earnings per tray: $8.5 to $14.8 (as mentioned above)
Weekly Estimates:
- 1 tray per week: $8.5 to $14.8
- 4 trays per week (common for small-scale operations): $34 to $59.2
- 8 trays per week (moderate-scale operations): $68 to $118.4
Monthly Estimates:
- 1 tray per month: $34 to $59.2 (4 harvests)
- 4 trays per month: $136 to $236.8 (4 harvests)
- 8 trays per month: $272 to $473.6 (4 harvests)
Scaling Up:
- 20 trays per month: $680 to $1,193.6 (4 harvests)
- 40 trays per month: $1,360 to $2,387.2 (4 harvests)
Keep in mind that these estimates vary depending on factors like:
- Microgreen variety and quality
- Production costs and efficiency
- Market demand and competition
- Pricing strategy (wholesale, retail, or direct-to-consumer)
To maximize earnings, focus on optimizing production, building strong market connections, and developing a solid pricing strategy.
Where to Sell Your Microgreens?
Manage an online store via your own website or Shopify store, on well-known social media networks community groups, or online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or Kijiji. Look for the Vendor/Supplier area on the websites of your local supermarkets if you want to sell microgreens to grocery shops. From there, you may learn about the requirements your microgreens business must satisfy to qualify for the new vendor application procedure and what criteria it must achieve.
Best Microgreens to Grow For Profit
It all comes down to this: which microgreen is the easiest to cultivate and the most lucrative to market? Well, the answer is - It varies. Here are some suggestions.
1. Sunflower
Often cited as the most profitable microgreen, sunflower microgreens can yield up to ten 2-ounce containers per tray, selling for around $6 each
Sunflower microgreens are visually attractive with their vivid green leaves and yellowish stalks, and they have a unique nutty flavor. Sunflower microgreens are worth considering because of their strong market demand and profitability, even though they require a somewhat longer growth time—usually 10 to 14 days.
2. Radish
One of the microgreens that grow the fastest is radishes; they may be harvested in as little as six days. They have the same zesty, spicy flavor that mature radishes are known for, and they taste fantastic too. Additionally, they have a lot of nourishment.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli microgreens are mildly flavorful vegetables that are high in calcium, vitamin D, B6, and C. It typically takes broccoli microgreens six to ten days to reach the harvest stage.
4. Peas
Microgreen peas provide an excellent yield. For cooks, they look fantastic in foreign cuisine. To slightly bulk up a salad mix, toss them in. Moreover, they will grow again after you cut them, giving you several harvests for each tray. Pea shoots develop quickly; in 8 to 14 days, they often reach the harvest stage.
5. Arugula
One of the easier microgreens to grow for beginners is arugula, which can be harvested in ten to twelve days. Raw arugula has the greatest flavor. Due to its distinct bitter, nutty, and spicy flavor, it is frequently used as a salad garnish and topper.
6. Cilantro
In contrast to their larger counterpart, cilantro microgreens possess a distinct citrus scent along with a spicy and nutty taste. They work well in salads, soups, salsas, and fish and curry meals. Microgreens of cilantro develop slowly; they usually reach harvest stage in 21–25 days.
7. Cabbage
Growing microgreens of cabbage might take anywhere from five to fourteen days. The cotyledon leaves are ready to be harvested when you see them completely expanded and displaying vibrant hues. They taste more like mild cabbage with hints of sweetness. One of the nicest microgreens you can produce is red cabbage, which may be used as a garnish or mixed into a salad.
8. Amaranth
Welcome to the splendor of red amaranth if you're searching for vibrant, fast-growing microgreens! After seeding on a heat mat, we typically harvest our Organic Red Amaranth for Microgreens seven to ten days later.
9. Kale
Kale tastes more like romaine or leaf lettuce while it's in its microgreen stage as opposed to when it's fully grown. Additionally, exceptionally nutritious, kale microgreens have four times the nutrients of mature kale. They also store well, keeping for around a week in the refrigerator if kept dry.
What Are The Most Profitable Microgreens to Sell?
Radish, broccoli, sunflower, peas, arugula, cilantro, cabbage, amaranth, kale, and chia are among the most profitable microgreens in the world. However, favorable growth circumstances and local popularity have a big influence on profitability. Test different types often to find the right combination for your market.
Tips for Growing Profitable Microgreens
1. Select High-Quality Seeds: Use organic or non-GMO seeds from reputable suppliers to meet consumer preferences.
2. Choose the Right Growing Medium: Options like organic soil, coconut coir, or hydroponic systems can optimize growth conditions.
3. Optimize Growing Conditions: Ensure adequate light, temperature, and humidity to maximize yield and quality.
What Do You Need to Start a Microgreen Farm?
Growing microgreens is very inexpensive, a fact that surprises many growers. A grow rack, LED lights, and a harvest table are just a few of the essential items needed for an indoor setup; the majority are easily obtained and reasonably priced.
A spray bottle, some fertilizer, a suitable growth medium (such as coconut coir or hydroponic grow mats), and growing trays with or without holes for drainage are required. Invest in grow lights if there's not enough natural sunshine. Lastly, you'll need knives or scissors when it's time to harvest.
Important Actions to Take Before Beginning
- Assess the demand in your region.
- Commercial Frameworks.
- Take Growing Method & Space Requirements into Account.
- Find out more about popular variations.
- shelf life of microgreens.
- To keep the freshness intact, the packaging is essential.
- assemble necessary equipment (one-time and ongoing expenses)
Can you really make money with microgreens?
The microgreens market is quite lucrative due to its strong demand and inexpensive cost of production. They are the perfect crop for small farms and urban gardeners since they can be cultivated in a small area and sell for $50 per pound or more. Microgreens have a fast production cycle and can be cultivated in a tiny space, which makes them very profitable and yields high turnover quickly.
What are the cons of the microgreens business?
With many benefits, here are some cons of getting into the microgreens business:
- Your microgreens production will most likely face intense competition, so you must invest a significant amount of time in thoroughly researching the industry and determining where the need is.
- It's crucial that you plan and anticipate a longer conversion funnel and maintain contact with potential consumers because microgreens manufacturing might need a significant time and financial investment from your client.
- Your revenue may be less reliable with microgreens manufacturing because of the erratic schedule and amount of labor allotted to you.
- Being in the microgreens production industry, you frequently work alone and don't get to see your teammates very often.
Is selling microgreens a good business?
They most definitely are. Starting a business is far less expensive than starting most other kinds of businesses. Compared to most other crops, selling microgreens for a profit requires less capital, area, and labor. Additionally, there are a ton of ways to get your greens into the hands of your clients.
