home » Business types » Growing berries as a profitable business - how to make money on strawberries: a detailed business plan. How to make money on strawberries: how much you can get on growing at home and on an industrial scale How to make money on growing strawberries

Growing berries as a profitable business - how to make money on strawberries: a detailed business plan. How to make money on strawberries: how much you can get on growing at home and on an industrial scale How to make money on growing strawberries

Early strawberries are in great demand, buyers are not even embarrassed by the inflated cost. Despite the fact that prices start at 250 rubles per kilogram, the berry is sold out quickly, and often with a huge markup. This allows you to make money growing strawberries as a promising business line.

To implement the idea, at least a summer cottage is needed. By installing a heated greenhouse and growing varieties in it, a person will be able to make a profit throughout the year. Documents for the sale of the first batches of goods are not required, since sales are carried out from personal subsidiary plots. When the business gains momentum, you will have to take care of the registration of individual entrepreneurs and tax deductions.

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Features of growing strawberries in open ground

Open ground - these are ordinary beds in the open. The method is suitable for growing garden strawberries on a large scale, since there is a high probability of damage to the crop due to bad weather. Garden strawberries grow well in any soil, the only condition is proper care. The roots are located in the upper layers of the soil, so the plants need regular watering and top dressing.

Berries ripen in natural conditions in June-July, during this period the cost of strawberries decreases. The competition is high - at this time, any amateur gardener is your potential competitor.

The popularity of outdoor cultivation is due to a number of reasons:

Minimum investment. No need to spend money on the purchase of greenhouses and hydroponic installations. Well, if you have your own garden, this will (at first) save on renting / purchasing a land plot. The main costs are the purchase of fertilizers and seedlings, the arrangement of drip irrigation.
Newbie accessibility. Even an inexperienced entrepreneur, having studied the information on the basics of growing strawberries, will quickly master the simple technology.
The berry grown in the open field is sweet and fragrant. People are happy to buy such a product.

In the open ground, the crop is planted in rows, the intervals between them depend on the strawberry variety - some need a distance of 30-40 cm, others need 50-60 cm. The soil must be mulched with sawdust, peat, or covered with spunbond. Agrofibre performs three main functions: retains moisture, allows air to pass through and accumulates heat.

The most successful varieties for open ground:

Gigantella;
Queen Elizabeth 2;
Honey;
Marshal;
Albion.

These varieties give bright and large (90-100 grams) fruits. 10 Gigantella berries is a kilogram of selected strawberries.

Cons of open ground:

Seasonality. This method depends on the climatic features of the region and is only suitable for the spring-summer season.
High dependence on the weather. Drought, frost - a threat to the entire crop.
Large enough plots are needed to create beds.
Weeds, diseases and garden pests that abound in the beds will not let the gardener relax.
Harvest on your knees, which is very inconvenient.

Despite all the disadvantages, growing in beds does not require large investments, which means that you do not have to take risks. It is not necessary to have special knowledge to plant a plot and collect the first batch of strawberries. Growing culture is only half the battle, equally important and often the most difficult is finding a market. Before starting a strawberry business, go around the shops in your city, buyers of natural products, and just take an interest in local markets. Your product must be in demand, if the competition is too high, and stores and wholesale buyers as one refuse to cooperate with you, then it makes no sense to invest and develop such a business.

How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse?

Growing a crop indoors allows you to collect several crops per year. Greenhouses are more expensive than standard beds, as they require significant installation costs. Basic conditions - temperature not lower than 22⁰С, humidity 70-80%. The greenhouse effect has a good effect on the size and number of berries.

Greenhouses are of three types:

film;
glass;
polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is the best option for industrial strawberry cultivation. Such greenhouses do not need to build a foundation, they maintain an optimal microclimate for seedlings, and they are durable. The only negative is the high cost.

There are several methods for placing planting inside the greenhouse:

into the ground;
in ceramic or plastic containers;
in polyethylene bags.

Growing strawberries in greenhouses has the following advantages:

there is no seasonality factor;
bad weather is not a hindrance to the harvest;
does not require a lot of land;
quick payback (one season);
supermarkets are more willing to buy berries grown in greenhouses;
high demand for garden strawberries in winter allows you to get a tangible income;
almost 100% profitability of production.

Like any other breeding method, greenhouse has its drawbacks:

large investments at the start ($120,000 vs. $15,000 per 1 ha when grown in garden beds);
there is a need for artificial pollination of bushes and extension of daylight hours;
taste qualities differ from "natural" berries;
the need to organize heating for year-round business.

Strawberries in hydroponics - what is its feature?

Hydroponics is a method that involves planting strawberries in an artificial substrate (for example, peat), laid on a grid and placed in a container with a mineral solution. In this case, the plant receives the necessary substances not from the soil, but from the nutrient medium. For each culture, its own, most suitable, composition is selected.

A nutrient solution for strawberries is prepared from the following components:

calcium nitrate;
potassium monophosphate;
potassium sulfate;
magnesium sulfate;
"Florist-micro" (with humic acids).

In hydroponics, the culture develops faster than in the ground. The plant does not need to spend energy searching for nutrients, all forces are focused on the growth and development of fruits. This allows you to earn more and faster on strawberries, as a rule, in the industrial cultivation of berries,

Care for strawberries grown in hydroponic plants is convenient and simple:

no need to loosen the soil and fight weeds;
garden strawberries are not threatened by drying out and oxygen deficiency;
diseases and garden pests are excluded;
no additional feeding is required;
there is no need for regular soil replacement.

Hydroponics increases yield and improves berry quality. There is no process of accumulation of pesticides, heavy metals, radionuclides and other harmful substances contained in the soil.

The hydroponic method is also good from a practical point of view. When growing a crop at home, this method eliminates dirt from the soil, an unpleasant odor and the spread of earthen pests.

There are also disadvantages, but in much smaller quantities:

high cost of the project;
the need for uninterrupted supply of hydroponics with electricity;
the result of cultivation entirely depends on the professionalism of the gardener.

How much money do you need to start a business?

The cost of starting a business depends on three main factors:

landing area;
growing method;
need for staffing.

The cost of organizing a business in a greenhouse is almost 7-8 times higher than in the open field. In the field of agricultural production, it is difficult to give exact figures for initial investments, since everything depends on many factors. Taking a specific model as a basis, it is possible to calculate the amount of start-up capital with fairly high accuracy.

For example, it is planned to harvest from a greenhouse with an area of 120 m2. Once a month, from each square you can get 5 kg of strawberries. One family can easily cope with the work on this plantation - there is no need to attract hired workers.

The total amount required to start a business is 350,000 rubles. Investments are considerable, but can pay off already in the first season.

The more production, the more you can earn per 1 m2 of strawberry planting. However, primary and fixed costs in this case also increase.

You can perform the entire cycle of work yourself or hire staff: germinate seeds, harvest seedlings, pack, store and take out for sale. Alternatively, you can invite seasonal workers for the harvest period.

A good profit is brought by the sale of surplus planting material (remaining after a dive).

How to sell a strawberry crop and earn?

It is important to sell the harvest on time and turn it into money, otherwise how else to make money on strawberries, but there are a few points. Strawberries are a perishable product, you can’t take them long distances, you can’t keep them in stock for a month. Sales channels should be sought at the stage of business planning, or at least before the berry ripens.

There are several options available:

Sell strawberries on your own by renting a place in the bazaar or a kiosk. The point of sale will have to be equipped with special equipment (scales, refrigerator, display case), which will lead to additional expenses. You will also need a vehicle to transport the goods.
Sell products through grocery stores and supermarkets. It is enough to conclude an agreement and plant berries at retail outlets. The only negative is the low cost that the store is willing to pay for the goods. You can try to resolve the issue on an individual basis, for example, offer to set a higher price tag for the product if there are no similar products in the supermarket, or sell the berries to elite retail outlets.
Sell products to wholesalers. This method will suit those who do not want or cannot engage in sales and delivery. The entrepreneur only concludes an agreement with an intermediary company and receives money.

Video: Selling berries. To whom and where to sell the strawberry crop, wholesalers and retailers

Before you start trading and concluding contracts, you need to obtain documents without which the sale of strawberries will be illegal, namely:

1. Declaration of conformity GOST R. To obtain a document from certification bodies, you will have to contact a sanitary and epidemiological station, a veterinary laboratory and prove that the berry meets all the requirements of technical regulations for this product.

2. Phytosanitary certificate. Issues and draws up the Rosselkhoznadzor document for all plant products.

Year-round reception of strawberries is carried out by processing companies engaged in the production of yoghurts and jams. Unclaimed products can be handed over to them, this will not bring a lot of money, but it will avoid disposal.

How much can you earn growing strawberries?

It is difficult to name the exact amount of how much you can earn on strawberries, because it depends on many factors. But if you do everything right, then you can earn consistently and a lot, let's look at the calculations.

With a good harvest from 120 m2, it will be possible to harvest 600 kg of strawberries per month. In the season, a kilogram of garden strawberries costs 120 rubles and more. Even at this time, the monthly income of the greenhouse will be 72,000 rubles. The maximum income is possible in winter, when it is most difficult to buy fresh berries. This gives the supplier the right to significantly increase the cost of their products (by 4-5 times). As a result, after 3-5 months, the costs will fully pay off.

What to choose the equipment for business?

Each method requires its own equipment and consumables.

For growing strawberries in the beds needed:

drip irrigation system;
agrofibre;
garden tools;
harvest containers.

Equipment for greenhouses depends on the cultivation technology, but the following list remains common to all:

boxes and racks;
irrigation and air humidification systems;
lighting fixtures (the best option is sodium lamps 400 W);
heating equipment and fans;
thermometer and hygrometer;
fridge;
electric generator.

When growing berries in bags, hanging equipment is bought along with the container.

At first, you can water the bushes manually from a hose. This is the most budget option. For a small greenhouse, a homemade drip irrigation system is suitable.

Growing strawberries on a hydroponic system can be done in several ways. When choosing, the size of the premises and the number of planned plantations are taken into account. Here are the differences between several hydroponic systems:

Ebb and flow system. Designed for growing large volumes of strawberries. First, the substrate is completely filled with mineral solution, and then the liquid is drained back into the container.
floating platform system. The method lies in the fact that the roots of the plant are located on a stationary platform, which is constantly flooded with a nutrient solution. The soil substitute is subjected to uninterrupted aeration due to the installed compressor. The method is more suitable for moisture-loving plants. Strawberries, on the other hand, begin to hurt, which makes it extremely difficult to achieve high yields. It is difficult to control the quality and parameters of the solution.
nutrient layer. Bushes are grown in pipes, which are filled with a mineral solution by means of a pump. Each plant receives the required amount of nutrients. The main advantage of the method is the saturation of the solution with oxygen.
Drip irrigation. This method allows you to irrigate the strawberry root system constantly. After passing through the substrate (peat, coconut or mineral wool), the nutrient liquid is drained into a special tray. This method is suitable for growing garden strawberries in both horizontal and vertical containers. Significant space savings are observed. Up to 100 strawberry bushes can be planted per 1 m2.

You can choose any method, the main thing is that the strawberry roots do not float for a long time in the water, otherwise this will lead to the death of the plants.

What documents are needed to open a business?

When growing strawberries on plots over 10,000 m2, registration of a peasant (farmer) economy (KFH) is required. With a smaller area of cultivation, a personal subsidiary plot (PSP) is maintained. Income from the sale of garden strawberries grown in a private backyard is not taxed and does not require legal registration.

Attention! In the absence of business experience, it is recommended to register private household plots and sell products in small volumes. This will allow you to establish processes related to production and business, as well as find the main points of sale.

With an increase in the scale of production, in order to attract third-party finance (agricultural loans) and open your own outlet, you need to register a peasant farm. It is carried out in the inspectorate of the Federal Tax Service at the place of residence of the future entrepreneur. The following package of documents is submitted to the FTS body:

application for registration of the farm;
passport of the natural person forming the enterprise;
check for payment of state duty;
certificate of the place of actual residence of the future head of the agricultural enterprise.

If a peasant farm is created by several people, then it is necessary to provide an agreement on the organization of a peasant economy.

The optimal system of taxation for agricultural producers is the single agricultural tax (UAT) with a rate of 6%.

Which OKVED to indicate when registering a business

The general OKVED code for agriculture is 01. Subparagraph 01.3.21 applies to the cultivation of berries (including strawberries).

Summing up

Growing strawberries is a costly and time-consuming process that, with the right approach, can easily be turned into a permanent source of income. Despite the seasonality of fruiting, it is possible to create a greenhouse with year-round cultivation. This will require significant financial investments, 8 times more than when organizing a business in the beds. The key success of entrepreneurial activity is the well-established sales of products. To do this, you need to conclude agreements in advance with wholesale companies, grocery stores and traders in the markets.

Strawberries are delicious, sweet, and therefore almost everyone loves them. That is why such a business is so attractive and popular among those who know how to work the land: their favorite berries are always on the table, and there is an opportunity to make good money.

What are the benefits of a berry growing business?

The main advantages of this business are:

relatively small investments at the initial stage;
the ability to grow berries in any season;
good income in winter;
short payback;
harvesting does not require much effort.

It would be fair to warn about the risks of such a business:

the occurrence of a plant disease, the appearance of harmful insects is possible;
with improper care, the plant can deteriorate: wither, rot.

Therefore, in order to avoid losses and disappointments, thoroughly study all aspects of this business before starting.

Strawberry cultivation options and their features

There are several options for growing berries (in open ground, closed, protected), each of which has its own advantages. Evaluate your strengths, financial capabilities. In addition, it is important to decide whether to breed only seedlings, or grow berries.

Home cultivation (indoors)

The business of growing seedlings and strawberries can be run even at home - this does not require a lot of space and investments. You can grow berries in a small area: on a balcony, loggia or in a garage.

Suitable for home growing your favorite berry dutch technology. The essence of the method: a plastic bag is filled with perlite and peat. Further, holes are made in it for seedlings, irrigation tubes are brought in and an artificial lighting system is being established. Three bags can be placed per 1 square meter.

At the initial stage, watering can be done independently, that is, manually. Later, you can install a drip system. You will also have to pollinate the berries - at home, strawberries do not pollinate themselves. For this, a brush with natural bristles is suitable. If the plantation is large, you can use a home fan.

Since the plant needs air circulation, the room in which you decide to grow strawberries should be well ventilated. To do this, it is enough to keep the window open. It should be noted that strawberries really need light. Therefore, it is desirable to choose a sunny side for seedlings.

Home growing of berries is suitable for beginner businessmen. In this case, it is more convenient to build a business on growing seedlings than on fruits.

Greenhouse (protected ground)

The method of growing berries in a greenhouse is an option for those who want to engage in such a business all year round. This will require appropriate costs: for the installation of a greenhouse structure, equipment for irrigation and heating, greenhouse lighting. The greenhouse method of growing strawberries requires many times more expenses than growing in open ground. But, accordingly, the income is higher.

The plant in the greenhouse matures several months faster than in the open field. This is influenced by artificial optimal conditions for growing. With proper care, the berries will be beautiful and useful.

Strawberries in a heated greenhouse are often planted in the soil. You can also plant the plant in small containers - special berry blocks or in boxes filled with a mixture of coconut and peat.

By the way, in greenhouses you can also have another source of income.

open ground

Growing berries in open ground is possible only during the season. It also has its pros and cons. The advantages, of course, include the minimum investment compared to other methods. Strawberries in season are easy to grow, not difficult to sell. The taste and aroma of strawberries grown in this way is unmatched by others. This method of growing is great for beginners in this business.

The disadvantages include the risk of a possible negative impact of nature. For example, strawberries can burn in the sun or vice versa, freeze. In addition, the plant needs to be replanted every 4 years.

Start-up costs

Costs directly depend on the option of growing a plant:

Home planting in protected ground.
Greenhouse planting in closed ground.
In open ground.

Home planting of berries at the initial stage requires purchase costs:

equipment (containers, racks);
planting material;
soil;
lighting systems.

The method of growing strawberries in a greenhouse, in addition to those listed above, requires the following costs:

building a greenhouse;
carrying out lighting and water supply in it.

Growing a plant in open ground requires the following costs:

purchase of planting material;
soil treatment from harmful insects;
fertilizers.

Which grade to choose for business

For growing strawberries, it is better to choose varieties of different ripening periods. In this way, “downtime” during the ripening process can be avoided.

early maturing varieties

Early varieties include:

Olivia is a winter-hardy variety that withstands the difficult Russian climate well. Such strawberries have a spectacular presentation - the berries are large, regular in shape, withstand transportation well.
Alba is one of the best early varieties for industry. Strawberries are disease resistant, handle transportation well and have a long shelf life.
Clery is a great choice for business. This variety is perfectly preserved during transportation, gives a lot of planting material (whiskers). Clary's view is very effective - a bright berry, like a varnished skin, you want to buy such a strawberry.

Early ripening varieties require special care:

regular watering with water not colder than 25 degrees;
mulching beds with compost;
airing the plant in sunny weather.

Varieties of medium maturity:

For doing business, you can choose the following varieties:

Marmalade is a variety with the advantage of high yield. Strawberry regular conical shape with a sheen.
Arosa is also a good choice for growing. The berries of this variety are bright orange in color and slightly flattened.
Asia - has a high sugar content, making the berries very tasty. Strawberries are resistant to frost, diseases, long-term storage. This is one of the best grades for the industry.

Varieties of medium ripening need mainly the following:

correct control of temperature conditions;
drip irrigation.

late maturing variety

Late ripening strawberries suitable for growing for sale include a variety such as Malvina - berries are sweet, with a delicate aroma. Strawberries are resistant to natural influences, but susceptible to insect damage.

Variety care:

this strawberry is distinguished by the growth of leaves, therefore, to improve ventilation, illumination and ripening of berries, it is better to thin out the leaves during the fruiting period;
the variety requires fertilization with nitrogen substances, while it is very important that the application of top dressing is moderate.

Repair varieties

The difference between remontant varieties is their ability to bear fruit three times during the growing season. Best business options:

Monterey is a variety suitable for growing in a greenhouse. Excellent harvest, juicy berries.
Portola is a new variety, an improvement of Albion. It differs from it in a milder taste and high yield.
San Andreas - similar to the characteristics of the Albion variety, but the San Andreas berries are larger. Strawberries are weather and disease resistant.

Care for remontant varieties includes:

abundant watering;
loosening the soil;
treatment for pests and diseases;
soil fertilization;
weeding;
for some varieties - removal of whiskers.

Garlic planted between bushes will protect strawberries from pests.

Watch this video for tips on growing strawberries from a plant expert at the Green Garden community. The expert will talk about the seasonal features of plant care:

Strawberry marketing options

The most acceptable ways to sell goods:

Home delivery of strawberries is an actual way of marketing in a populated area, for example, a millionaire.
Sales through supermarkets.
Delivery of berries for processing.
Sales through own outlets: market, shop in a supermarket or shopping center. This option is suitable for the sale of large volumes of strawberries.

Each sales option requires the execution of certain documents!

Profitability of the strawberry business

To calculate the profitability from the sale of strawberries, it is necessary to calculate all costs: from the purchase of material to the delivery of goods to the buyer. Don't forget your monthly electricity and heating bills. You also need to know the expected profit.

A square meter of seedlings produces 4.5 kg of fruit per month - this formula should be the starting point for calculating monthly profits. That is, a plantation of 50 squares will bring 225 kg of berries per month.

Depending on the season, the cost of berries varies dramatically. The average price is 400-500 rubles. per kilogram. Accordingly, a plantation with an area of 50 squares will bring an income of 90 - 112.5 thousand rubles a month.

Thus, the liquidity of the strawberry business is only a few months.

The ability to receive high income from the sale of berries or strawberry seedlings is the main reason why amateur gardeners have retrained into businessmen. Regardless of the season, the competition is only imported expensive goods with average taste, which is also a great advantage of this business.

Summer is coming. The warm season for those who love gardening is the season of profit. Many of us would like to earn income from what we love. Nature, fresh air, sun and a garden - if all this brings you pleasure, then a strawberry business is what you need. now we will talk in detail about how to make money on strawberries.

Strawberries are a favorite treat for both children and adults. Jam, jams and marmalade are made from this berry. It is eaten fresh and topped with chocolate or cream. Strawberry pastries or yogurts are the most popular treat. No one can pass by the counter, where bright, juicy and fresh berries from the garden are laid out.

But not all strawberries are good. It differs in varieties and each of them has its own characteristics. In addition, the taste and quality of berries depends on the care of it, cultivation methods and the time of year in which the fruit ripens. Let's discuss all these nuances in more detail.

Growing strawberries as a profitable business

The most important advantages of the strawberry business are:

very small initial investment. very little money is required for a successful start;
different methods can grow strawberries in any season of the year;
in this way you can get a high income in the winter season;
the business pays off quickly, thanks to low requirements for initial investments;
harvesting is very easy, even a pensioner can handle it.

Speaking about how to make money on strawberries, it is important to remember that here, as in any business, this business also has its own risks that must be taken into account. These include the following:

Therefore, it is very important to move forward in the development of such a business gradually and wisely in order to avoid disappointment.

Where to begin?

First of all, it is worth starting with studying the aspects, nuances and all other important points regarding the cultivation of a plant such as strawberries.

You need to decide what method you will conduct your business, as well as what variety you will take into business. Each of the varieties is different from the other and its choice is of no small importance.

After studying the business materials and getting enough information regarding the basics of growing strawberries, you can start organizing a plot or place for cultivation itself.

The arrangement of the garden or plot itself is of great importance. It is necessary to create the most comfortable conditions for seedlings. Therefore, in this matter, it is imperative to follow the recommendations of professionals.

Do not forget to also decide whether you will grow the berries themselves for sale or sell seedlings.

Methods

There are three main methods for growing strawberries:

growth in open soil (garden, field);
cultivation in closed soil (at home);
protected ground (hotbeds, greenhouses).

Each method is unique and has its own advantages. The choice of method depends on your financial capabilities and personal desire.

Growing a house in closed soil

Harvesting strawberries right at home, for example, on the windowsill or in the basement of the house, is a great way to make money. Such a garden will not take up much space, especially if you have a balcony or loggia. It does not require much investment either, so the option is very tempting. Also, this option is great for growing business.

Speaking about technology in the question of how to make money on strawberries at home, it is important to remember the Dutch method in this area. This technology is perfect for harvesting berries at home. To do this, take a bag of polyethylene and fill it with peat and perlite. In the bags you need to make holes for seedlings. After adjusting the lighting and irrigation system, strawberries will grow at a fast pace and with an excellent yield. one square meter fits three such bags. Young seedlings can be watered independently, and later the process can be automated. Drip irrigation works very well.

The disadvantage of the method of growing strawberries at home or in an apartment is that it will not be able to pollinate on its own. We'll have to help her, using a gentle brush with bristles made of natural material. If your plantation is quite large, you can use an indoor fan to spread the pollen. Also, do not forget to ventilate the room with strawberries well. Plants need clean air as well as a constant supply of sunlight.

Home growing is suitable for beginners in this field. And it is better to sell seedlings, and not fruits, in this case.

greenhouse cultivation

Getting a crop of berries in a greenhouse is suitable for those who want to earn income throughout the year. This method will also require corresponding costs for:

organization of the greenhouse itself and installation of the structure;
organizing greenhouse heating and watering plants;
organization of the necessary lighting in the greenhouse.

The costs when using this method will be somewhat higher than when growing in the open field, but the income here will be more pleasing. In a greenhouse, the plant will mature and produce much faster. Artificially created conditions will contribute to this. If everything is done correctly, then the berries will not only be beautiful and large, but also tasty and healthy.

In a heated greenhouse, strawberries can be planted directly into the soil. In addition, you can use small boxes, basins, special blocks for berry plants and other containers, filling them with a special mixture, which consists of peat and coconut shavings.

Cultivation in open ground

In open ground, cultivation can occur on a plot of 10 acres, as well as on 20 acres. It is believed that the optimally convenient field for growing in open ground is from 15 acres to 20 acres. But you can also get a crop of a couple of square meters in the garden behind the house. Everything depends on your desire.

The disadvantages of this method include the fact that cultivation will occur only in the warm season. The influence of natural phenomena can also contribute. So that the strawberries do not freeze and do not burn out in the sun, you will have to make a lot of effort.

The advantages include, of course, the wonderful taste of berries, their quality, aroma and size. Selling such a product is not difficult. The organization of the process itself is also very simple and is perfect for beginners who have their own site.

Do not forget to also transplant plants at least once every 4 years.

The best varieties

In order for the strawberry business to bring proper profit, it is highly recommended to take seedlings of several varieties for cultivation. By choosing a variety of different ripening periods, you will be able to harvest more often and without downtime.

Varieties with early harvest
Olivia	This variety tolerates winter and frost well. Great for the climate of Russia. Commodity appearance is very effective. Olivia's berries are large and beautifully shaped. During transportation, they almost do not crumple.
Alba	This variety is excellent for organizing commercial cultivation. Alba has a high yield, and plants and fruits are resistant to diseases and long-term transportation. The shelf life of products without damage to the berries of this variety is also quite long.
Clery	For business, this variety is perfect. Plants throw out mustaches in large numbers and propagation of this variety does not cause any problems. The berries are very beautiful, the berries are smooth and as if varnished.

Varieties that ripen early must be given proper care. Water for irrigation should not be cooler than 25 degrees. The beds must be fertilized with compost. In hot and sunny weather, you need to provide plants with coolness.

When cultivating varieties with an average ripening period, it is very important to pay enough attention to irrigation and temperature control.

When caring for remontant-type varieties, special attention should be paid to abundant watering, loosening the soil, fertilizing, weeding, removing excess vegetative shoots and treating pests. Planting garlic between the bushes will help repel insects and other pests.

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round - business plan

Let's say you are a young and active person, you live in a private house outside the city and have a fairly large plot for greenhouses of at least 100 square meters. Then a strawberry business is perfect for you.

With this, you can earn enough money throughout the year with due effort. Now we will figure out how to make money on strawberries and organize everything. Our option is suitable for a business with the participation of a person who can organize simple Internet marketing, which is very effective in the age of information technology.

Summary

The purpose of this project is to calculate the income from two greenhouses with strawberries located on a site near the city. It is desirable to develop a plantation on your site so as not to spend money on rent. It is also desirable to have your own transport to deliver the goods to the buyer.

The organization of one greenhouse takes an average of about 35000 rubles considering its year-round operation. We need 2 greenhouses 5x10 meters. In one such greenhouse, up to 300-400 strawberry bushes can be placed. One bush of seedlings costs an average 50 rubles. The purchase of seedlings with a margin and taking into account the risks for one greenhouse will be released in about 20000 rubles.

Thus, the initial investment will be approximately 130000 rubles taking into account the associated costs and the availability of its own plot for greenhouses. Together with the cost of advertising and other expenses, there will be about 150000 rubles.

Product Description

The products of this business will be strawberries. It is better to select a variety according to the recommendations of specialists in your area. But by average standards, one bush can give you a crop of 400 berries per year. Of the above varieties, it is recommended to take Monterey.

Market analysis

An analysis of the current market shows that the demand for fresh strawberries is very high, especially in the winter season. For successful trading, you need to set the price 10-15% below the market or store price.

After organizing greenhouses and competent care of seedlings, a businessman will be able to get a crop of 300-350 berries from one bush. Large and beautiful berries of 15 grams in weight can be sold, and the rest can be made into jam, compotes or eaten on their own. Excluding risks, damage, and other things, we will assume that one bush will produce 200 berries for sale per year, and there will be about 700 bushes in two greenhouses.

In total we get: 200 * 700 = 140,000 berries of 15 grams. This will be approximately 2100 kg of strawberries per year. One kg of strawberries can be successfully sold at a price of 400 rubles, which will vary depending on the season.

Organization

It is better to use a greenhouse made of polycarbonate, installing it on a solid foundation. You can build it yourself if you have the necessary skills, but in their absence it is better to contact a specialist. The construction of a greenhouse is usually included in its cost and the company involved in this will give you a guarantee, which will help you save a lot on repairs in the future in an unforeseen situation.

When the greenhouse is built, take care of its arrangement:

install lighting;
take care of the irrigation and watering system, it is recommended to use the hydroponic method;
the organization of heating is of no small importance for the year-round cultivation of berries, pay special attention to this;
put the necessary racks, shelves, tables and other necessary furniture for the most efficient use of the area of \u200b\u200bthe room;
also do not forget about the ventilation system.

Place the soil and plant the seedlings in it, it remains only to take care of the plantings, fertilize them and wait for the harvest.

Organize also a room for storage of products, their packing and packaging. Suitable cellar, pantry or barn.

Finance

The initial investment will be:

Greenhouses, 2 pieces - 60,000 rubles;
Equipping greenhouses and premises - 40,000 rubles;
Purchase of seedlings - 40,000 rubles;
Advertising (website, group in the social network) - 8000 rubles;
IP registration - 2000 rubles.

Total: 150,000 rubles.

Monthly expenses:

fertilizers - 20,000 rubles;
utilities - 10,000 rubles;
advertising - 2000 rubles;
other - 3000 rubles.

Total: 35,000 rubles of expenses per month.

Risks

plant disease;
competition;
crop failure for any reason;
lack of points of sale;
Unexpected situations.

Growing strawberries at home

When growing strawberries at home, in the basement, garage, apartment, on the balcony, it is better to use the Dutch method. With a competent approach, 30 bushes per 1 square meter can be placed in bags. And in a year to get a crop from 5 square meters to 450 kg of strawberries. Investments here will amount to quite a bit - from 30 to 50,000 rubles, including advertising.

What will be the annual income from your own business?

The income from growing and selling berries in two greenhouses will be approximately 840,000 rubles a year. The calculation is based on the minimum income and maximum expenses per month. You can save a lot if you want.

When growing a house with the Dutch method and using 5 square meters of potting bags with seedlings, the income will be 180,000 rubles per year.

Growing fresh berries is a good business. Especially when it comes to strawberries. But those who believe that this is possible only in summer are deeply mistaken. Modern technologies make it possible to produce tasty goods all year round. So the strawberry growing business can generate income all the time.

There are no competitors!

I must say that fresh berries are in demand at any time of the year. Another question is that in winter on the shelves there are only imported products of unknown origin (these berries do not smell like strawberries) at a fabulous price. And many people want to buy fragrant and high-quality strawberries. So if you decide to grow strawberries for sale, you will have practically no competitors. It is enough just to set a real price for it, and the strawberry aroma of natural berries will speak for itself.

Legal factor

If you decide to grow strawberries and sell them through a distribution network, you will have to register as an individual entrepreneur. So, in order to legalize your activities and be able to trade your own crop, you need to:

Pass state registration and.
Select OKVED code: 01.13.21. Cultivation of fruit and berry crops.
This group includes the cultivation of apples, plums, cherries, citrus fruits, apricots, peaches, currants, raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries (strawberries) and other fruit crops.
Choose a taxation system. Although in this case you will be classified as a producer of agricultural products (even if you do not own or lease a garden plot for agricultural purposes) and will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to pay the Unified Agricultural Tax at a rate of 6% on net profit.

Features of technology and necessary equipment

Let's try to draw up a business plan for growing strawberries and start with the technology and the necessary equipment. Many will be surprised, but growing strawberries in the beds is the last century. Today, for the cultivation of this berry, it is not necessary to set up a garden and fertilize it with manure. You can grow strawberries right in a city apartment! The main thing is to approach the issue correctly.

Let's start with the fact that the fruiting period of strawberries indoors is September - May. In summer, there is no economic sense in growing berries in this way. But in order to get fresh strawberries already in September, and then trade them in the winter, you will need to create a mother plantation (the preparatory period for a strawberry business is about four months). To do this, you need to plant either ready-made seedlings or seeds (this option is preferable) in small growing boxes. Strawberry seed germination is low enough that at best half of what you sow will sprout. The main thing is to moisten the soil well and illuminate the plants (they need light 12 hours a day). When the seedlings are more or less rooted, the first pick should be carried out, planting it in a checkerboard pattern, and after a month and a half, the procedure should be repeated, but the seedlings should already be planted in ready-made containers for strawberries. After that, your plantation is ready to bloom and bear fruit. True, do not forget that every couple of years strawberry bushes need to be updated. This can be done using your own rosette seedlings, which will appear on the mother bushes. Thus, it turns out that you will receive new planting material completely free of charge from your own strawberry plantation, as a by-product of production.

If you plant a plantation in late spring, then by autumn the strawberries will be ready to bear fruit, which means that you will receive your first income in October. As soon as the season ends (it will be at the end of May), the emerging flower stalks will need to be removed, preventing the strawberries from bearing fruit. This tactic promotes the production of new planting material, as the bushes will begin to let out mustaches, on which young rosettes will appear. It is they who can later be used to update the plantation.

Climatic conditions. The room should have an appropriate temperature - + 22 * C, humidity - 75%, good ventilation and special three-row racks that will serve as beds. Both light and the required temperature will be provided by sodium lamps, but only on condition that their power is at least 400 watts.
Plantation shelving. The height of the rack is 1.5 meters, the width is 1 meter, but the length can be any, as long as the room allows. Each rack should be divided into three rows and containers 20 centimeters high should be placed on them. The containers must be filled with a special substrate with the addition of humus, into which strawberry bushes will then be planted.

Irrigation system. To grow strawberries at home, it is necessary to use a drip irrigation system, which is installed before planting. You can purchase a ready-made system (today they are sold in specialized stores), or you can mount it yourself by reading the manual on the Internet. In the latter case, you will only have to spend money on consumables: water containers and plastic tubes through which watering will be carried out.

Choose the right variety

the selected varieties must belong to the remontant type of strawberry (this means that the plant blooms several times a year)
the formation of the ovary and berries must go continuously
the berries of the selected varieties should be large, as well as brightly and evenly colored
strawberries should have a strong aroma and a pronounced taste

Guided by these criteria, you can choose one or several different varieties and start growing them.

How to sell crops?

If you have planted, grown and harvested strawberries, then a new question arises: where and how to sell them. First of all, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with this information. Although it is worth thinking about how to sell a product at the stage of business planning. Today there are several options:

But before you start trading, concluding an agreement with a supermarket or a wholesale company, you need to take care of obtaining documents, without which the strawberry trade will be illegal. This is about:

declaration of conformity with GOST R (to obtain it from certification bodies, you will have to contact the SES and special laboratories and prove that your strawberries meet the requirements for such products);
phytosanitary certificate (it is issued by Rosselkhoznadzor for all products of plant origin).

Expenses and income

Home business growing strawberries is quite a profitable business. But here it is important to correctly approach the organization of the workflow and optimize costs.

If you plan to grow strawberries in your own apartment, then your plantation will not be more than 80 square meters (even if the containers are installed in three rows). And this means that the daily harvest will not exceed 10-12 kilograms of fresh berries. Consequently, you will be able to serve and process (including packing in baskets) all the strawberries yourself, without attracting additional labor. Therefore, the cost of renting a premises or land, wages to employees, special equipment, workwear and additional packaging will not hit your pocket.

So, let's calculate the necessary investments, expenses and incomes, taking into account that you will grow strawberries on your own in your home, without the involvement of hired workers, and you will sell the berries through a wholesale company.

In order to start growing strawberries, you will need 106,000 rubles.

The monthly cost of growing strawberries is minimal and includes only electricity, because the lamps that provide 12 hours of light to the plants will also warm the room, raising the air temperature to the required level. As for irrigation, there is no excess water consumption with a drip irrigation system.

Taking into account that the strawberry plantation, organized on 120 square meters of area, will be 80 square meters, the monthly harvest will average 4 kilograms of berries per square meter, that is, only 320 kilograms. Calculate income:

Taking into account monthly expenses, the net profit will be 130,000 rubles. The profitability of such a business is 70%, and all initial costs for equipment, planting material and electricity during the creation of a mother plantation will pay off in two months of selling berries.

Personal farming is becoming more and more popular and is increasingly reaching the market level. Such a business brings good money, besides, it is full of options for doing it. Today we will analyze the cultivation of strawberries as a business: profitability, self-sufficiency, reviews of successful entrepreneurs and their recommendations on how to avoid various troubles. Let's start.

Strawberry Business Summary

The strawberry business has a low entry threshold and we will dwell on this point in more detail later. In addition, growing products at home is quite easy, it does not require too much equipment. But there are also disadvantages.

The organization requires rather high costs for heating and water consumption, especially in winter. If you fail to set up a sufficient amount of heating in the winter, then you will not be able to grow berries suitable for sale. In addition, you will constantly have to take care of the plants.

It is unlikely that the owner of such a production will allow strangers to be in his own house, because your time will be spent on caring for strawberries, and growing strawberries, although not difficult, is time-consuming. Remember that the self-sufficiency of this business is really high, enough of the season to recoup the costs of opening.

Where should you grow berries?

You can grow strawberries in a greenhouse or in the open field, and here it is quite easy to make a choice.

The option with open ground quite fetters the entrepreneur, since the berry will bear fruit only from May to June, while winter production is completely impossible. A greenhouse is more suitable, and here's why:

Allows you to establish year-round production of berries.
Eliminates the influence of weather on productivity.
Costs much less land.
Has a great interest in shops and supermarkets.
It makes it possible to receive huge profitability in the autumn-winter season.
Great payback in just one season.
Makes fruit look more aesthetic.

Undoubtedly, the advantages are good, but it would be wrong not to note the shortcomings of the greenhouse. The cons are the following:

The cost of starting a greenhouse nursery is really high compared to the cost of open ground.
The need for artificial pollination.
The berries begin to acquire a less natural taste, reducing the natural aroma.
It is necessary to constantly illuminate the earth, close to natural, for which money will be spent.

Analyze the disadvantages and advantages of different options and choose what your industrial strawberry cultivation will be like.

Choose a variety

In the case of home production, entrepreneurship depends solely on how well you purchase seeds, how tasty your berry will turn out. In addition, the variety of strawberries affects the success of its cultivation in certain conditions.

Due to the fact that the berry propagates with a "whisker", remember that for a business it is worth buying plants that have grown from the "whiskers" of the first and second order. It is important to trace the development of the rosette, the strength of the roots and directly find out about the yield indicator.

Here are the best strawberry varieties according to many entrepreneurs:

Alba - fairly small bushes give high yields. It is considered an early variety, excellent disease resistance, has bright red berries in the shape of a cone and this species does not shed for a long time. Excellent transportability.
Darenka is a domestic variety that resists fungal diseases and is not afraid of pests. Reviews speak of the excellent taste of the fruit, in addition, they are very large and elastic.
Oktava - perhaps the earliest variety among those presented, ideal for growing in greenhouses, but also suitable for open ground. Extremely productive and quite resistant to mechanical stress during transportation. Has the most pleasant aroma.
Sonata - this variety is distinguished by extremely juicy and tender fruits, sweet taste and pleasant aroma, therefore it is one of the best for sales in stores. It boasts good resistance to pests and tolerance to temperature changes.
Rusanovskaya is another greenhouse variety that allows you to harvest several times a year. It has a rather pleasant rounded fruit shape, red juicy color, perfectly stored for a long time.
Honey - is one of the best options for making money, as it starts to keep up very early. It has fairly large bright berries in the shape of a cone, but the taste for an amateur is sweet and sour. The berries are distinguished by a delicate aroma, tolerate temperature fluctuations well, but are sensitive to soil nutrition.

In addition to these representatives, professionals note worthy characteristics and a predisposition to growing in nurseries in the following varieties:

Elsanta;
Will;
Kama;
Cambridge;
Red Capulet.

We are looking for a greenhouse

We continue to search for the necessary premises for breeding. Of course, you can buy a separate plot where the greenhouse will be kept, but it is difficult and expensive to find the necessary acres now, so you should ask yourself the question of finding land at the very beginning. If the search for a site is over, then it's time to find out which greenhouses should be put in place for industrial cultivation.

They are sold in the following types:

Glass.
Polycarbonate.
Film-frame.

Greenhouses of the latter type are the most budgetary and affordable, therefore they are bought up more by novice entrepreneurs, but this is wrong. A diaper usually does not help protect plants from banal frosts, not to mention really low temperatures.

A glass nursery in this case is better suited, besides, the walls allow you to perfectly heat the area inside. But the downside is the need for a special foundation, for which some do not have the money or enough space.

Polycarbonate greenhouses are the most expensive, but the most effective in this business. They do not require a special foundation, are durable and do their job really honestly. Strawberries grown in a polycarbonate greenhouse all year round will pay off the costs of the business in a season, therefore, if possible, it is better not to be stingy.

Once you download it, you can use it to create your own.

How to grow fruits?

Your future business is based on growing strawberries, so you need to be sure that you will be able to breed crops correctly. For growing in a greenhouse nursery, avid gardeners have strengthened two main types of strawberry cultivation.

The first is really simple and understandable even for a novice entrepreneur: strawberries need to be dotted with soil in special separate containers. It is the area of the nursery that affects the number of containers and their arrangement: in a row, in a cascade, vertically. You just need to prepare the most convenient layout and not think about the soil under the greenhouse.

There is also a second option, the most popular among people already experienced in this field, helping to grow strawberries on an industrial scale. It is called Dutch and it is suggested that strawberry or strawberry seedlings must be planted in special bags with soil two meters long.

The seedlings themselves are planted through individual holes eight centimeters in diameter. The method wins over the first in that it allows you to fill much more space with plants. You can hang bags, lay them out on the balcony, put them in the garage - it is important that the plants receive enough light and nutrition, as well as protection from external influences.

Whatever option you choose to grow strawberries all year round, it is important to properly approach the very care of the plant and timely procedures. Here are some general rules and guidelines:

Seedlings should be planted strictly in prepared soil. The land can be taken from the garden, the purchased one is suitable only mixed with the garden one.
Also, before planting, it is worth treating the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate. It does not hurt to make food with fertilizers.
It is necessary to plant the tubers themselves low at an average depth, so as not to expose the root system and give the plant full coverage.
Even watering the plants with a watering can can pour the leaves and the fruits directly, so keep an eye on this.
For a real business, it is preferable to get a real irrigation system that supplies moisture directly to the roots of the bushes. Quite rarely, a cattery is already sold with the support of such a system.
Water for a particular strawberry must be warm, in addition, it is important to water at least once a day.
It is necessary to maintain the plant at a temperature not higher than 25 and not lower than 18 degrees Celsius all year round.

Your business idea is to independently grow strawberries for sale, therefore you are solely interested in the fact that the grown strawberries can be sold in stores or in the hands of other people. Be sure to follow the implementation of each item.

It is profitable to sell goods - a guarantee of profitability.

Enough money was spent on the opening, so I want to recoup the costs as soon as possible. Having grown your own strawberries, it is important to bring it into a marketable and eye-pleasing appearance.

A home business allows you to be more careful with the fruits, so be sure to try not to overfill and once again not shift the strawberries. A truly correct solution is the option of collecting berries in plastic kilogram containers and transporting them to the place of sale of the goods.

How to start selling your own products? There is a dependence on the season. For the summer, it is quite effective to trade homemade berries in the market. In some cities, you can even find a free corner or place next to other vendors, but it's important to negotiate a trade in your chosen location.

Winter time opens up more chances to earn money by selling berries on your own and selling them in supermarkets. Your project has the right to conclude a contract for the supply of products, fulfilling the requirements of the store. Build a realistic relationship with strawberry processors for the production of juices, yoghurts and other products.

Video: growing strawberries - how to get a large berry?

How profitable is the strawberry business?

To begin with, it is worth compiling a mini-table with an approximate list of expenses and amounts that will be spent on opening and starting this business.

Remember that you will have to stick out some amounts for purchases, utilities and transport services, as well as other costs every month. Dealing with income is even easier: getting 5 kilos of berries from one square meter, only 1,500 kilos are collected from three acres. With a kilo of strawberries, on average, it turns out to earn 500 rubles. For a month, the sale can bring about 750 thousand rubles!

Well, in winter, the price of berries increases significantly, so from the payment of expenses every month, on average, you will receive 240 thousand per year, which makes the strawberry business a leader in terms of profitability. In addition, in the future it will be possible to expand the plantations and recruit employees-workers.