How are green onions grown commercially?

(OKVED 2) Section A: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and fish farming

(OKVED 2) 01 Plant growing and animal husbandry, hunting and the provision of related services in these areas (OKVED 2) 01.1 Growing annual crops (OKVED 2) 01.13 Growing vegetables, melons, root and tuber crops, mushrooms and truffles (OKVED 2) 01.13.1 Growing vegetables Investments from 150,000 rubles.

The green onion business requires a small start-up investment, is highly profitable, and pays off quickly. Unlike other green crops, onions are quite unpretentious and grows quickly (especially with the use of various technologies of hydro- and aeroponics). In the summer, buying onions is not a problem. And its cost when buying on the market is incomparably lower than in stores. However, in the period from autumn to spring, greens are much more expensive, there is much less supply, and the demand is just as high.

Growing green onions can become not only a source of additional income, but also a profitable business. True, only if you have an idea of ​​all the subtleties and pitfalls that you will have to face, and you know where you will sell the finished product.

Note that the issue of sales is key. Do not believe advertising articles that convince you that "there will always be buyers for such a product," unless you intend to sell your onions on the market yourself, which is unlikely.

In the production of onions on an industrial scale, they are grown all year round. In summer they are planted in the field, and in winter in heated greenhouses. In the latter case, it is more profitable to rent separate areas from factories and farms. If you set up a greenhouse and heat it yourself, it turns out to be quite expensive, both in terms of labor and money. The profitability of this type of business is about 30% in winter (due to high costs for heating and / or renting a greenhouse) and over 50% in summer. However, it is not necessary once at a time, and in some seasons this figure may exceed 200-300%.

A plot of 25-30 acres is suitable for growing onions. Despite popular belief, a green crop business requires some investment. They are, indeed, lower than in other types of entrepreneurial activity with the same profitability, but still you cannot do without expenses at all. You can grow onions at home exclusively for yourself or for the purpose of a little part-time job. If you are going to be in business, you have to work on a large scale.

In spring, as a rule, onions are planted with seeds after all frosts have passed. There are special seeds for growing greens, not bulbs. The best are the seeds of Dutch and Japanese producers. By winter, bulbs are planted in greenhouses in most cases.This allows you to reduce the growing season at least three times. In addition, the finished product is of high quality and good taste. For the construction of a greenhouse, experts advise using not glass, but polycarbonate, since this material retains heat better and is cheaper. It is better to purchase planting material from wholesale companies or directly from manufacturers. Its cost ranges from 3 to 6 rubles per kilogram.

Depending on the region, climatic conditions and weather, losses when growing greens can be about 30% or more of the total harvest. To minimize these losses, chemical plant protection products are used. Despite the assurances of sellers, almost all greens for sale are grown using fertilizers and chemicals. This is the only way to achieve high performance and an attractive product appearance.

So, to organize your own production of green onions, you will need at least 100 sq. m. of soil and a storage area of ​​about 30 sq. m. Large enterprises rent the premises of factories for a plant for growing greenery with an area of ​​about 500-600 square meters. m. Moreover, about 350-400 sq. m. of this area is allocated for crops, and the rest - for household premises and warehouses. A similar production is equipped with instantaneous water heaters for warm irrigation, lifts and a heating oven. Plants are grown on purchased land using additional fertilizers and fertilizing, and illuminated by fluorescent lamps and ultraviolet lamps. All this allows you to grow greens all year round and in large volumes. At the same time, its quality does not suffer.

On a usable area of ​​70-75 sq. m. you can grow from 350 to 550 kg of feathers in one month. On average, this figure is about 400 kg. With all the costs, the cost of one kilogram of greenery can be from 10 to 60 rubles, depending on the season.

Consider the fact that onions grow for an average of 21 days. This period can be almost halved if we use aeroponics technology. Like hydroponics, aeroponics is a closed-loop system that avoids the disposal of substrates, soils and other waste in production. The cost of such equipment ranges from 1000 to 4000 rubles per 1 sq. m. greenhouses. The investment pays off within several years (when growing greenery, it will take at least 2-3 years). Aeroponic systems are more profitable to use for a greenhouse of a large area and completely unprofitable for small farms.

As for sales, most manufacturers work either with wholesalers or directly with retailers (shops, markets, vegetable stalls), as well as with cafes, restaurants, barbecue, etc. It all depends on the volume of production. In the latter case, your profit from selling greenery will be higher, but you will spend much more time looking for clients. Consider also the fact that greens are perishable.

In addition, you will need to purchase packages and equipment for packaging finished products if you are going to sell them directly to stores. In summer, wholesale companies buy green onions at a price of 30-50 rubles per kilogram. In winter, this amount rises to 100 rubles and more (below this figure it is unprofitable to work). Large producers sell 1,000 to 3,000 kilograms of onions per day. Small entrepreneurs hand over about 1500 kg of onions per month. Of course, the difference in their profits will also be significant.

The main risks are associated with the situation on the wholesale market, which cannot be predicted: the price per kilogram of greens may fall sharply or, conversely, rise. Sometimes even large enterprises are forced to work at zero for some time.

If your production volumes, like your profits, are large enough, you should think about hiring assistants who will work on the plots - looking after the plants and harvesting.In this case, the costs of renting greenhouses, garbage collection, electricity, planting material, fertilizers, packaging will be supplemented by the salary of your employees.

The start-up capital that is required to open your own green onion business is about 100-150 thousand rubles (provided that you have your own land plot with water supply). A separate expense item is the registration of an individual entrepreneur or LLC (for working with stores, the last organizational and legal form is preferable) and certification of your products (at first, you can get permission to sell a limited amount of products, the registration of which is cheaper).

The best time to start your green onion business is in autumn. Preliminary study the demand for such a product in your region and find out the average sales volumes. Plant the required amount of onions for testing a month before the planned start of sales. If you have not yet established a marketing system, then it is better to plant a little less onions than you expect to sell.

In the period from April to June, the price of greens is the highest (1.5-2 times higher than the average for the year). The monthly profit of production with volumes of about 3000 kg of onions per month is from 150 thousand rubles. With more modest areas (70-75 sq. M.), Your income at the beginning of work will be from 20 thousand rubles per month. In the future, you can expand the number of green crops and grow, in addition to onions, also dill, parsley, lettuce, cilantro, etc.

Lilia Sysoeva

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The business is attractive for the fertility of the plant, modest start-up investments, and also in great demand all year round. If you master all the intricacies of growing green onions and the peculiarities of its marketing, you can build a profitable business on this.

How to grow green onions

If your plan includes industrial scale green onions, be prepared to do so all year round. In the summer, it is cultivated in the fields, and in the winter in a greenhouse with heating. Please note that it is expensive to set up and maintain a greenhouse yourself.It is easier to rent specially equipped premises from farms and factories, or equip it yourself. The profitability in winter is about 30%, since a lot of money is spent on heating in the greenhouse and renting. In summer, it reaches 50%. Although in practice it is sometimes possible to reach an indicator of 200%.

Growing green onions at home is only possible for a small part-time job. If you plan to organize a separate business, you need to purchase or rent a plot of about 25-30 acres. The cultivation of green onions begins with the planting of seeds after the last frost. Better to take seeds from Japan or Holland. The bulbs are planted in the greenhouse before winter.

Whichever method you choose, you need to take care of preparing the beds and fertilizing them. For a greenhouse, you will need loose soil and superphosphate at the rate of 30 g per 1 sq. m. Before planting, onion seeds must first be soaked. Onions are planted in a greenhouse or outdoors with ribbons at a distance of about 5 cm from each other and between rows. Green onions require a lot of light, frequent watering and shallow soil loosening. This work plan must be carried out regularly and very carefully.

If you decide to grow green onions at home, soak the bulbs overnight in warm water, and then plant them in boxes about 10 cm high.To increase the growth rate of a green plant, water it with warm water at least 20 ° C, and keep the air temperature at about 18-22 ° C.

The plant reaches its presentation in about 20 days. But using aeroponics technology, this time can be shortened. This system helps eliminate the disposal of substrates and other waste during cultivation, but the savings are only tangible in a greenhouse over large areas. The cost of such a system is 1-4 thousand rubles. per square meter. The payback period is 2-3 years.

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What to grow green goods for sale

It doesn't matter where you decide to start the production of green goods - in the field, greenhouse or at home - there are three ways to do this: growing from seeds, small bulbs (sevka) or large ones. The fastest way to get the result from the green business is from the seed, if it was carefully sorted out, processed and properly cared for before planting. The main problem in growing this plant is diseases and premature shooting. Therefore, the place of growth should be well blown and illuminated. In addition, the cost plan should include the purchase of chemicals for plant treatment. Without them, growing greenery under artificial conditions will become unprofitable - most of the crop will simply die.

Growing from seeds requires three times less planting material, four times less area. True, for better productivity, seedlings must be thinned out during growth, which increases the loss of green business. Moreover, not every seed will germinate. But this type of green plant practically does not shoot, matures quickly and does not rot for a long time, which makes it easier to store it, allowing you to earn extra money on bulbs.

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Expenditure part of the green business

Fixed assets will be spent on planting material, care, fertilizers, transport. This will amount to about 30% of the costs. Entry into a business costs about 150 thousand rubles if you have your own plot with water supply. If you are planning to grow for sale in large quantities, it is worth worrying about the certification of the green product.

It is best to organize your business in the fall. First, you need to conduct a market assessment in order to get an idea of ​​the volume of demand. Based on this data, determine a plan for growing a green plant. If it is difficult to determine how much of the product will be able to sell for sale, it is better to grow less than the expected sales volume. You will always have time to increase production.

From 10 acres of land, the production of this green product will bring 30-90 thousand rubles a month.Additional cultivation of other demanded green raw materials will help to increase the sale of feathers:

• dill;
• parsley;
• basilica;
• arugula;
• mint;
• salad;
• cilantro.

It is difficult to say how much money will be spent on starting a business. It all depends on the type and scale of cultivation. If your plan involves cultivating a product in a greenhouse, a significant amount will be spent on its arrangement. You can reduce costs if you cover it not with glass, but with polycarbonate. This material better maintains the desired temperature in the greenhouse in winter.

The plan for organizing a large business should include the purchase or lease of premises or fields. Many entrepreneurs who decide to cultivate a vegetable in a greenhouse rent production facilities in factories. Of these, about half is determined for the harvest, and the rest is storage and utility rooms. On this territory are established:

• instantaneous water heaters;
• lifts;
• stoves for heating water;
• UV lamps and fluorescent lamps.

For a month from 70 sq. m. you can shoot an average of 400 kilograms of a feather. Depending on the season, the cost of a kilogram of greens will be 10-160 rubles.

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Sales and risks

Sales are dependent on production volumes. It can be organized in two ways: through wholesalers or directly through retail - shops, supermarkets, stalls, markets, catering establishments, etc. Packaging of goods also depends on the type of sales. If it is retail sales, it is worth considering special packaging and related equipment. In the summer, wholesalers buy goods for 30-50 rubles. per kilogram, in winter this figure rises to 100. The sale of goods by medium-sized enterprises is about 1.5 kg of goods per month.

The main risks come from floating commodity prices. Over the course of a year, it rises and falls at times. In addition, feathers are perishable. Therefore, if you do not have a sales plan prepared in advance, you can lose a lot of money.

Agriculture is one of the most promising areas for doing business. The demand for fresh vegetables is maintained throughout the year, and production costs are easily regulated by the way they are grown. Most farmers start their business with onion cultivation, as it is an unpretentious crop that can give a rich harvest in any climatic conditions. To begin with, you need to not only register as an individual entrepreneur, but also draw up a detailed business project that takes into account all the subtleties of the process.

Business features

Onions are one of the most common crops for industrial and domestic cultivation. The crop can be obtained even in the harshest climates, and if you follow the rules for caring for the planting, proper prevention, you can reduce to a minimum the risk of infection with pests and diseases. You can read more about processing onions before planting here.

Growing onions on an industrial scale

The cultivation of onions for sale is permissible in the open field, in a greenhouse or in a specially prepared building (for example, with the hydroponic method). According to statistics, when using equipped greenhouses, you can achieve an increase in yield by 30-40%.

In recent years, agriculture has received strong government support, which has significantly increased competition among farmers. Plus, green onions are products that require certain storage conditions, which complicates the process of transportation and marketing. There are a number of significant advantages to growing onions for sale:

• varieties have been developed that allow you to grow a crop at any time of the year;
• there is always a high demand for fresh herbs;
• at the initial stages, small investments are enough;
• growing onions is suitable for novice farmers;
• there are several ways to market products.

In winter, profitability can be as high as 150%.

Despite the large number of advantages, this type of farming has a number of important disadvantages that should be considered:

• to achieve high yields, greenhouse equipment costs are required;
• the price depends on the season, in summer the profit is significantly reduced;
• products have a short shelf life and sale;
• by mid-summer, competition is high.

Growing onions is a time consuming process, especially during the planting and harvesting stages. Plus, it is necessary to think over high-quality packaging that will differ from competitors, but at the same time maintain the appearance of the product.

Profitability

The income from the sale of onions largely depends on the cultivation technique, the cultivation method and the area of ​​the plot. On average, profitability ranges from 30 to 50% depending on the season. At the initial stages, it is recommended to plant onions in the open field - this requires a minimum investment, and a long ripening period will allow you to establish sales of products.

Sowing onions is better for the winter, before the onset of the first frosts.

Usually, onions are completely ready for harvesting in 4 months, so you need to start planting as soon as the frost ends in your area. The average yield of this crop is 5 kg / m2. Thus, from 10 acres you can get up to 5 tons of fresh vegetables. On the market, 1 kg of onions costs 20 rubles (the cost directly depends on the variety and region of sale). From a plot of 10 acres, you can get up to 100 thousand rubles.

The second source of income is the sale of fresh herbs (onion feathers). With an optimal planting of an average yield of a variety in 4 months, you can get up to 0.5 kg / m2 of greenery, 500 kg from the entire plot. The average retail price for feathers is 130 rubles per 1 kg. You can get up to 65 thousand rubles from the sale of fresh herbs.

It is important to understand that the total revenue always decreases taking into account the costs of maintaining the site, the purchase of seed and other components. Vegetables can deteriorate as well as deform during transportation, which reduces income.

Deformation of bulbs and potatoes during transport

The issue of product sales is the most important stage in organizing a business. As with the sale of any agricultural product, there are a number of points here:

• the cost of goods largely depends on the season, revenue is lower in summer;
• retail onions are rarely sold in large quantities (no more than 2-3 bundles at a time), so there is a risk of product damage;
• the demand for feathers and root crops is highly dependent on the region. In the southern regions it is lower, and in the northern regions it will take a lot of effort to grow;
• finished products need to be stored somewherebecause the cut onion quickly loses its presentation. You can read more about storing onion crops in this article.

Storing onions in storage is a convenient method for gradually changing the temperature in a room. And why onions rot during storage will tell this material.

Even at the stage of creating a business plan, you should analyze the state of the market, the relevance of products and think over the sales market. There are several ways to sell:

• Wholesale trade... The most profitable way to sell finished products. In most localities there are wholesale companies that work directly with suppliers. In recent years, trading platforms for wholesales with different functioning systems (for example, auction) have become widespread.
• Sale to catering establishments... You will have to directly negotiate the supply of your goods. Most catering establishments already have regular suppliers, so first they need to offer favorable terms of the deal. The demand for green onions for cafes, restaurants or canteens does not depend on the season.
• Grocery stores... When selling products to retail stores, it is important to remember that there is a risk of returning defective products and replacing defective products. We'll have to lay down the packaging material in the expense items, since all retail chains will definitely require the packaging of the goods.In retail sales, store wrapping will be added to the product, so your onion will cost more, which may scare off potential buyers.

Selling onions to grocery stores has its drawbacks

• Self sale... With small production volumes, it is most profitable to sell onions by your own efforts in organized trading platforms. This requires the permission of the administrative authorities, as well as the necessary certificates of conformity of product quality. In some situations, cash and refrigeration equipment may be required.

To sell onions in retail and wholesale networks, you must have the status of an individual entrepreneur or a peasant farm, as well as all the necessary certificates confirming the quality of your products.

Costs

The amount of expenses is determined by several factors - onion variety, climate and soil features, growing method... In each case, additional items of expenses are added, for example, for the transportation of goods or maintenance of cash equipment, maintenance of a retail outlet. Usually, the costs come down to arranging the greenhouse, buying planting material and fertilizers.

Necessary equipment

Equipment for growing onions for sale is purchased once, and then investments are required to repair and replace devices. Allocate the following costs:

• Greenhouse... This is the largest expense that could overlap onion revenue in the first season. The average price for a greenhouse measuring 3x8 meters is 20 thousand rubles. When growing onions only in a greenhouse, it will take up to 500 thousand rubles for the construction of a polycarbonate structure.

An example of a greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate

• Heating... The investment in heating a greenhouse depends on the heating method. To begin with, you can purchase an ordinary stove-stove, but then you should prepare the fuel in advance. Heating the greenhouse with a birch firewood oven will require up to 10 thousand rubles. It is better to immediately buy infrared heaters for high-quality heating of the room (the average price is 2500 rubles, you need up to 7 devices).
• Irrigation system... It is advisable to purchase an automatic irrigation system, but if you have access to a water source, you can limit yourself to a compressor and a hose system, which will cost 20-30 thousand rubles for a plot of 10 acres. In the early stages, you can purchase a large water tank, as well as hand-held watering cans. It is important to follow the rules for watering onions both in the open field and in the greenhouse, otherwise you can lose the entire crop. How to water onions is described here.
• Lighting... Required only in winter for growing in greenhouse conditions. The figures for this article depend on the electricity source and tariff in your area. On average, it is necessary to lay down up to 7 thousand rubles for the use of electrical appliances for one season. Ordinary bulbs are suitable as a light source, but it is better to purchase special light sources for agricultural purposes. It is not recommended to install incandescent lamps - they quickly fail and waste a large amount of electricity.

Linear fluorescent lights for greenhouse

• Ventilation... Greenhouse ventilation is essential for the harmonious growth and development of plants. The air circulation system depends on the size of the room and your finances. In the first stages, you can use the vents, but later it is advisable to install fans or air convectors.

You can save on building a greenhouse with the help of its independent construction, as well as with the gradual introduction of structures into operation. If several greenhouses are used at once, huge labor and financial costs are required.

Growing and care

For the industrial cultivation of onions, certain investments are required, especially in the initial stages.In addition to all the costs of registration and registration of individual entrepreneurship and tax deduction, the following costs of growing and care are required per production cycle (from 45 to 120 days):

• Planting material... To accelerate the ripening of the bulbs, only onion sets are used for planting. 10 acres will require 200 kg of seed. The average price for a set is 20 rubles per 1 kg. Why onion sets are more profitable when planting in the fall can be found at this link.

Onion set

• Priming... Needed for greenhouse or tray cultivation. The amount of substrate depends on the volume of the greenhouse. The average price for fertile soil is 380 rubles per 1 m3.
• Fertilizers... For optimal plant growth, all three macronutrients are needed - phosphorus, potassium and sodium. They can be added separately or as a compound fertilizer. The amount of top dressing depends on the composition of the soil, on average, up to 15 thousand rubles are needed for fertilizers.

Thus, the cost of cultivation and care can range from 35 to 55 thousand rubles for a plot of 10 acres.

You can improve the greenhouse as you receive income from the sale of products. Until you establish a sales system and reach a decent volume of products, it is worth doing with improvised methods.

Varieties

Choosing the type of onion to grow for sale plays an important role in the profitability of a business. The varieties differ in ripening speed, resistance, yield and growing requirements. The following types of onions are used:

• Chives... It has long and narrow feathers with a pleasant taste, as well as a small bulb in diameter. The yield is only 3kg / 1m2. The variety is picky about lighting conditions, with a lack of light, the greens do not gain volume and turn yellow.

Schnitt onions are best planted on the sunny side.

• Onion... The leaves taste like the feathers of ordinary onions, but this type of plant does not form a full-fledged root vegetable, therefore it is grown only for greenery. Undemanding to external conditions, the yield reaches 4 kg / 1m2.
• Egyptian (tiered) bow... It is considered one of the most profitable varieties, since cultivation in long-tiered greenhouses is permissible. Almost does not yield root crops, and feathers are formed in just 25-40 days and grow up to 45 cm. The yield is 4 kg / 1m2.
• Shallot... By its features, it resembles onions, but differs in the structure and type of bulb. In one nest, up to 10 lobes are formed, each of which gives its own shoot. Feathers reach a length of 30 cm, which is a good indicator among varieties. Productivity - up to 4 kg / 1m2.
• Leek. In the process of growth, it forms wide and tasty feathers that grow on an edible shoot. Usually this variety is planted from seeds, therefore it is used only for obtaining greenery. Productivity is one of the lowest among all species - up to 2 kg / 1m2.
• Onion. Used for industrial and private cultivation. It is recommended to choose southern varieties for sale, since they have the shortest ripening period. If you use intensive cultivation technologies, you can achieve yields of up to 15 kg / 1m2.
• Bow Stardust. In the first year of planting, it is used for growing greens, for the next year it gives a good harvest of white bulbs.

Elan onion - a very early variety of onions

When choosing a variety or hybrid of onions for growing for sale, you need to take into account the peculiarities of growing, as well as the method of planting. The largest amount of greenery in a short time can be obtained only when planting a variety with a short dormant period in greenhouse conditions.
Cultivation technologies

To grow onions for sale, two techniques are used - getting seedlings from seeds and planting last year's small bulbs (sets). Both methods have features that should be taken into account:

1. Seeds or nigella... They can be purchased or prepared on your own by waiting for the feathers to ripen last season.Before planting, they must be checked and treated with a disinfectant. Usually, the seeds are sown in rows at intervals of up to 10 cm. It should be remembered that the growing season for seed planting will increase to 4 months, and the greens will be thin and short, since all the nutrients go to the formation of the bulb.
2. Sevok... This is the fastest way to grow onions. The growing season is 45 to 60 days, depending on the variety. The sevok can be planted in a ribbon (in a row) or more productive way (with a maximum planting density, the bulbs touch each other).

Onion sets are planted in rows

The algorithm for growing onions for sale is no different from the usual method. Regular watering, top dressing, as well as weeding of vegetable beds are required.

Growing methods

There are several methods for growing onions for sale, each with their own pros and cons. Its choice depends on the climatic conditions in your region, the variety, horticultural skills and the required ripening rate.

Landing in open ground

The longest and most labor-intensive method of growing onions for sale, requiring a spacious, developed plot with fertile soil. The first planting must be carried out immediately after the end of the frost, but with this method, both sowing and seeds can be used. It is recommended to choose Dutch or Japanese early maturing varieties as seed. Depending on the region, in one season, you can get up to 3 harvests of greens with little financial cost.

Planting nigella in early spring

The planting time of the first batch does not depend on weather conditions, since the greenhouse allows you to get harvest all year round. By using early maturing varieties and tiers indoors, you can achieve maximum profitability even in a limited area. The main disadvantage of this method is the need for investment in greenhouse equipment.

To grow onions in greenhouses, regular watering, adherence to the temperature regime and air access to the greenhouse are required

Any type of onion can be used in greenhouse conditions, but it is recommended to choose hybrids with a short dormant period so as not to slow down the growing process.

Hydroponics

A modern method of high-speed growing of onions using a hydroponic installation - special mats dipped in a nutrient solution. In this case, there is no soil, so the plant receives all the necessary substances for growth and development from a special substrate (usually coconut fiber is used). With this method, you can achieve good yields in a short time (up to 16 days) in a small area, regardless of climatic conditions. There are no costs for fertilizers for the soil, and if the room is properly equipped, onions can be grown in several tiers. Cucumbers are also grown hydroponically.

Growing onions using hydroponics

The main disadvantage of this method is the high cost of arranging a hydroponic plant, but if there is a sales market, all costs will pay off within 1-2 years.

Aeroponics

With this method of growing, no substrate is used at all, which completely excludes interaction with dirt and infection with diseases and pests. Plants are placed in special containers so that the root system is in the air. Plant feeding is carried out with the help of constant irrigation of the roots of fertilizers in aerosol form, which contributes to the rapid saturation with oxygen and other necessary elements. Aeroponics allows you to achieve maximum yields in a limited space in a short time.

If you are planning to get serious about growing onions for sale, then it is recommended to immediately invest in a hydroponic plant or use aeroponics.

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conclusions

In recent years, the business of growing certain types of plants has become very popular.Among them, onions are in special demand, as it is a stable and unpretentious culture. Even before planting, you should develop a detailed business plan, think over ways to sell products. The profitability depends on the way the onions are grown, the climate in the region and the market conditions in your area.

Also read the greenhouse and outdoor cucumber business plan.

• Monthly profit (from): 500 $
• Payback period (from): 3 months
• Starting capital (from): 2000 $

Business relevance

Green onions are not only a source of valuable vitamins, but also a wonderful way to start your own business. This product is produced annually in large batches for sale. In 3-4 months, you can set up a small business by studying the market and mastering the cultivation technology and distribution channels.

Sales organization is a key issue. You should not believe the articles, which indicate that "the main thing is to grow a good harvest, and there will be a buyer himself."

Experienced businessmen grow onions all year round: in the warm season - in the field, in a greenhouse - in winter. The profitability of this business depends on organizational issues and averages 30% in winter and 50% in summer. To grow green onions for sale, you need to take into account a number of additional factors and pitfalls, which will be discussed in the article.

The subtleties of the organization

This business idea has many advantages and features that every aspiring businessman should take into account:

1. A relatively short production cycle - in a month you can get the first harvest of green onions.
2. Low labor costs - on average about 1 hour of working time is spent on processing 10 m². This means that one worker can cultivate about 80 m² of land per day.
3. The personnel for planting seeds, soil cultivation and harvesting can be low-skilled.
4. Some technologies allow growing onions using racks of 3-4 tiers, which significantly increases productivity from the site.
5. There are special conditions for growing onions: lighting from 12 to 15 hours a day, temperature - 15-18 º С, watering (peak need 4 liters per 1 m²).

The choice of varieties for growing green onions

High yields can be achieved through the use of multi-primordial species. For industrial cultivation, the following varieties of onions are often used for greens:

• Leek - characterized by a wide feather, rich rich taste. Productivity - 20 kg / 9 m².
• Batun - oblong leaves of light green color, bright rich taste. The plant can be cut up to three times. Productivity - 25-35 kg / 9 m².
• Shallot - characterized by resistance to bad weather conditions, has long, long, unfading feathers. Productivity - 45 kg / 9 m².
• Egyptian is a resistant variety, it can grow and develop even in a slight frost. Productivity - 35-40 kg / 9 m².

Growing technologies

There are several main ways to grow onions:

1. Planting in the open field with daily watering. The first planting is carried out in the spring after frost. Seeds (preferably from Dutch or Japanese producers) can be used instead of bulbs.

The advantages of this method:

• low costs for organizing a business;
• simplicity.

Flaws:

• dependence on the season (no more than three harvests per year, depending on weather conditions and varieties);
• use of large land plots.

2. Greenhouse method. Its advantages:

• simplicity;
• maximum profitability;
• use of a small area due to tiers;
• independence from weather conditions.

Flaws:

• high cost of the project (for building a greenhouse, installing racks, organizing watering, etc.).

3. Hydroponics Is a method of growing plants in artificial gardens without soil. The home hydroponic plant is an advanced agricultural growing technology that gives high yields.Remember how in childhood, at school, a teacher wrapped a bulb with wet cotton wool, and after two weeks it sprouted. This is the essence of hydroponics in a primitive form.

Technology advantages:

• maximum profitability;
• use of small areas;
• there is no need to spend money on soil fertilization;
• you can grow onions on shelves;
• independence from weather conditions;
• reduction of the period for forcing feathers to a presentation (about 16 days).

The disadvantage of hydroponics is the high cost. But this method is one of the most promising, suitable for those who wish to build a reliable and stable business.

Demand

Onions contain almost all vitamins and microelements necessary for humans, and enhances immunity. Therefore, green onions are in demand all year round. Only the price of the product changes - in summer it is cheap, in the cold season the price increases several times.

Business registration

The industrial cultivation of feather onions as a business requires mandatory registration with state authorities. Without proper registration, no wholesale buyer will cooperate with you. First, you need to choose the form of doing business - LLC or individual entrepreneur. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can register yourself by contacting the tax office at your place of residence. If there is not enough time to collect documents, a specialized law firm can do this for a fee.

Financial calculations

If you want to build a serious business with big profits, choose high-tech methods. Despite the need for large investments, you will get a profitable business that will quickly recoup your investment.

Consider the approximate costs for setting up a hydroponic plant. They largely depend on the level of automation, materials, grades. The onions will be grown in their own 50 m² building using the shelving method - which will increase the total area to 80 m².

Financial business plan: start-up investments:

• purchase of lamps - $ 150;
• purchase of wires (100 meters) - $ 50;
• lighting installation - $ 50;
• racks (2 floors) - $ 200;
• bathtubs for shelving - $ 500;
• installation of a working surface (for the preparation of planting material) - $ 150;
• hydroponic technologies (without automation): compressors, hoses, pumps - $ 400;
• additional hydroponic plants - $ 300

As you can see from the calculations, the initial cost is $ 1,800.

Monthly costs for 1 cycle of green onion cultivation:

• purchase of sedimentary material - $ 150;
• lighting costs - $ 10;
• heating costs (in cold weather) - $ 40;
• watering costs - $ 20

Total - $ 220 per month.

Profit calculation and ways of implementation

Based on the example, at the output in one cycle, you can get about 550 kg of finished product - green onions. For further implementation, you can choose one of the methods:

1. self-sale;
2. wholesale

By organizing several points of sale, for 1 kg of onion feathers, you can set the price of $ 4. This will add the cost of organizing a sales place and additional personnel. If you plan to wholesale the product, the price will drop to $ 2.

Each of the proposed options has its own pros and cons. If you find a wholesale buyer, then in 16-22 days you can earn $ 1100 (550 kg x $ 2). In this case, the net profit will be $ 880 (1100-220).

At home

If at the start of your activity you are not ready to invest a lot of money, you can organize the cultivation of onions at home for the purpose of a little part-time job. The technology is absolutely simple. In the warm season, you can plant onions in your garden plot, in winter you can install small racks in the apartment or arrange a place on the windowsill.In this case, the start-up investment is needed for the installation of small racks and the purchase of seed ($ 100-200).

Forcing green onions in the basement:

Download for free a business plan for growing onions (feathers) using hydroponics (.rar file):

Example 1

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