Where to Sell Microgreens: Discover Targeted Opportunities (2024)

FAQs

Is there a demand for microgreens? ›

Market Overview

The global microgreens market was worth USD 1,445 million in 2021. It is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 3,695 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

Microgreens are one of the most profitable crops you can grow. They can be grown in a small space and can sell for $50 per pound or more​, making them an ideal crop for small farms and urban growers.

Chefs' Choices

Prices for our fresh microgreens, edible flowers, and mature herbs range from $20 - $35 per pound. We happily accept orders of 1/4 pound or more per variety; $20 minumum per order. Please give us a heads up of 2 - 3 weeks (one harvest cycle) depending on variety for your order.

Pea shoots rank among the most popular microgreens for chefs thanks to their delicate appearance and subtle flavor. Chefs also appreciate that pea shoots are affordable, making them an easy addition to any dish. They're also full of folic acid and antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and C.

Microgreens are one of the most profitable crops you can grow in your backyard or garden. They are the perfect crop for small farms and urban gardeners because they can be cultivated in a little area and can be sold for a good price.

Earning for one tray of microgreens

The average selling price for microgreens is $25 – 40 per pound. As for each 1020 tray, the average yield is between 8 – 12 oz per harvest (7-14 days). That means you will be able to earn at least $12.5 – 18.8 per tray of microgreens.

You don't have to worry about choosing the best way to sell microgreens online when you can sell them everywhere. Run an Ecwid store on your own website, on popular social media platforms, or through marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.

It can be a saturated market: Because it is such a trendy crop, there are many people attempting to get up the contacts to form a microgreen operation. This means that depending on location, the chef that being approached with an offer for microgreens may already have been approached by half a dozen other growers.

What are the cons of a microgreen business? ›

Running a microgreens production business involves a lot of liability, which means the cost for insurance premiums may also be high. Over the years, your equipment can get damaged, break down, and may need repairs which can be expensive.

Fresh Origins is America's leading producer of Microgreens and Edible Flowers! In addition, we grow Petite^®Greens, Tiny Veggies^™, Herb, Flower & Fruit Crystals^® and other unique specialties near San Diego, California.

Johnny's Selected Seed Company recommends 6 to 8 large seeds per square inch of tray or 10 to 12 small seeds per square inch. Microgreens are commonly grown in 1020 (standard) greenhouse trays or 10- or 20-row seedling trays filled with soilless potting media.

As fresh-cut products, microgreens are characterized by a relatively short shelf-life, not exceeding 10–14 days.

The microgreen growing process is quite labor intensive, what with keeping the greens sufficiently hydrated, nourished, and well-lit. This is why, in the grocery store, you will see microgreens priced higher than full size vegetables.

Growing microgreens on paper towels is one of the easiest ways to start growing your own food. You don't need to have a green thumb or to buy expensive supplies. With just seeds, paper towels and water you can produce nutritious greens that make a great addition to any salad or smoothie.

Broccoli microgreens contain more than 550% of the RDA of antioxidant nutrients you need. It has the most complete nutrient profile of any vegetable. It is packed with Vitamin A, B, C and K, and a sizeable amount of iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

What are the hardest microgreens to grow? More challenging microgreens include: amaranth, beets, basil, cilantro, beets, sorrel, and popcorn. The more you grow the more fun experimenting with different varieties will become.

Radishes are the fastest growing microgreens and should be harvested before their first true leaves develop. A family shouldn't have any problem using up a Home Microgreen Tray full of radish microgreens before they need to harvest and store them in the refrigerator.

Why are microgreens falling over? ›

Falling Over

The microgreens that are in the centre of the tray start to lean over to the sides of the tray. This could be due to the deficiency of water or light. Your microgreens can go to sleep because they are thirsty. It's time to water them well but ensure that the soil is moist and not soggy.

The vast majority of plants won't grow back at all. A plant's seed usually only contains enough energy to get the first set of leaves up. So after the first round of microgreens, all of the energy stored in the seed is spent. There is none left to try and regrow from.

Microgreens are clearly more nutrient dense, meaning typically they are more concentrated sources of vitamins and minerals. And like the full sized versions, microgreens are equally low in energy (about 120kJ or 29kcal per 100g based on US data).

Burlap. Burlap is one of the cheapest growing mediums at only around $0.25 per tray. But burlap can also be one of the most difficult mediums to use. Burlap is a woven fabric that's made from the jute plant, which is also used to make nets, ropes, and other products.

Best Medium For Microgreens

A peat based mix (either coco peat or peat moss) with vermiculite and perlite works best. Commercial garden soil varieties are not the best medium for microgreens because they are too compact and don't allow the roots to penetrate and grow.

Styles of Packaging Suitable for Microgreens

There are 3 main container styles commonly used for packaging microgreens: Clear plastic take-out style containers (called clamshells) Paper bags lined in plastic with a see-through window (called baker's bags) Plastic poly bags (called poly bags)

Microgreens are ready to harvest usually two to three weeks after planting, making them a very quick crop for gardeners. Harvest when you see the first set of real leaves. Once leaves appear, snip the microgreens just above the soil line. Serve immediately for the best flavor.

How Much Does It Cost to Grow Microgreens at Home? Even if you buy trays, seeds, and grow lights, it's much more cost effective to grow your own microgreens at home than to buy trays at the store.

The best way to store microgreens is first to place them between damp paper towels. Next, please put them in a resealable plastic bag or container, and pop them in the fridge. Done! Stored this way, your microgreens will last for about a week.

Q: Can you survive on just microgreens? A: Microgreens are packed full of vitamins and minerals. Compared to fully grown crops, they contain 4 to 40 times the nutrients. But I wouldn't recommend a diet that exclusively consists of microgreens.

Can you freeze dry microgreens? ›

Freeze dried microgreens can be added to just about anything your heart desires. Their nutrients is locked in. Their shelf life is stable. And it's a smart way to get more greens into your diet.

Is Eating Them Risky? Eating microgreens is generally considered safe. Nevertheless, one concern is the risk of food poisoning. However, the potential for bacteria growth is much smaller in microgreens than in sprouts.

However, commercial microgreens growers must follow rigorous FDA Guidelines.

You should make about $20 per tray of microgreens, so your revenue will depend on how many trays you can fit in your space. Most microgreens grow in 2-3 weeks, so you should be able to average 1.5 grows per tray per month. Your profit margin will be about 90%.

The target market for microgreens includes people who are health-conscious and are looking for nutrient-rich foods to enhance their diet. This could be because they are allergic to or have intolerances to traditional greens or because they are simply looking for a new way to add more greens to their diet.

Microgreens truly are miraculous, tiny, perfect representations of fresh vegetables, herbs and greens. They provide intense flavor in delicate bites – and studies are showing how their nutritional levels are off the charts. As another benefit, they add unexpected beauty to plates and texture to dishes.

You'll need two trays: one with drainage holes and one without. Drainage holes are ideal because these seedlings really don't want their roots to be sitting in water for a long period of time. The tray with drainage holes will be the top tray that holds the soil.

The best conditions for storing seeds are in airtight containers in a cold, dry place such as a refrigerator or a wine fridge. If your purchased packs do not come sealed, it is advisable to transfer them to airtight glass jars (such as the ones sold in Ikea) before refrigerating them.

While waiting for sprouts to appear, usually within three to seven days, use the mister once or twice daily to keep the soil moist but not wet. Once seeds have sprouted, remove the cover (if you've used one) and continue to mist once or twice a day.

The plant will not be able to overcome that kind of stress to grow back. That is why microgreens don't grow back after you harvest them. But not cutting off the stem and leaves (leaving them growing in the tray) will also eventually cause them to have an extraordinary amount of stress causing them to die.

Can I store microgreens in mason jars? ›

Mason Jars are great for sprouts!

The biggest thing when growing microgreens in mason jars is making sure you have the right lid! I have the wide-mouth jars and it was easy finding a lid to fit.

Earning for one tray of microgreens

The average selling price for microgreens is $25 – 40 per pound. As for each 1020 tray, the average yield is between 8 – 12 oz per harvest (7-14 days). That means you will be able to earn at least $12.5 – 18.8 per tray of microgreens.

It can be a saturated market: Because it is such a trendy crop, there are many people attempting to get up the contacts to form a microgreen operation. This means that depending on location, the chef that being approached with an offer for microgreens may already have been approached by half a dozen other growers.

You'll find that the microgreens price is regularly $5, $8, even $10 at farmers' markets and grocery stores. You probably won't buy a pound of microgreens at once, but if you did, it would set you back between $25 and $50. To compare, a pound of spinach typically costs about $6.

Radish. Like broccoli, radishes are one of the fastest- growing microgreens, ready to harvest in as little as six days. They taste great, too, with the same crisp spicy flavor that mature radishes are famous for.

They can be difficult to remove from the harvested product, and biting down on a piece of perlite is an unpleasant experience that could turn customers away from your microgreens. Washing microgreens before selling them decreases their post-harvest life.

How long do microgreens last after harvest? As a general rule, purchased microgreens typically last 10-12 days in your fridge. If you were to grow your own microgreens and cut them at home, they would last about two weeks, on average. The shelf life can vary, however, depending on the type of microgreen.

As fresh-cut products, microgreens are characterized by a relatively short shelf-life, not exceeding 10–14 days.

One major disadvantage of microgreens is the fact that they contain chemicals that may irritate the skin. Some of these chemicals may cause severe infections, including rashes and inflammation. In some cases, these infections can be fatal if not treated promptly.