Is Growing Organic Vegetables Profitable?

Make your organic produce profitable.

Organic produce becomes more and more en vogue as people are willing to pay extra to eat healthy. However, like any business, the profit margins of organic farming depend on supply and demand and how you market your business.

Identification

Growing a high quality and desirable product is the most important step in making your organic vegetable business profitable. If you get a reputation for growing the best tomatoes or the best lettuce, that is good for business.

Geography

Another way to make a profit is to sell vegetables that aren't common in your region. If everyone at the farmers' market is selling tomatoes, you will be just one of many selling tomatoes there.

Types

Choose vegetables that yield the greatest profit per square foot. According to Kitchen Gardeners, these include cilantro, green salad mixes, chives, lettuce and small tomatoes. The vegetables that yield the lowest margin include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and beets.

References

• Kitchen Gardeners: What are the Best Vegetables to Grow for Profit?
• University of Minnesota; How to Sell Your Crops: Marketing; 2000
• Growing Healthy: Organic Vegetables