Raspberry Business: How to Prepare a Business Plan and Organize the Process

Selecting a site and variety

Raspberry bushes require moisture in the soil and adequate light, which is why, when choosing a site for planting this berry crop, be sure to consider this. There are no specific recommendations regarding the optimal substrate for raspberries, as their low maintenance and resilience allow them to thrive even in forested areas. However, if you're wondering what kind of soil is best for raspberries to thrive, a mixture of soil, sand, and mulch is recommended.

You decide the size of the plot yourself, as it depends on how many seedlings you plan to plant in the ground. However, it's a good idea to leave some space outside the plot: raspberries tend to grow vigorously, and to avoid having to dig up excess seedlings too quickly, it's best to allow this berry crop to fill the entire allotted area.

Particular attention should be paid to choosing the optimal raspberry variety. Domestic gardeners typically choose between biennial and everbearing varieties. What are their key characteristics? The first variety will only begin bearing fruit in the second year after planting. As for everbearing raspberries, they will begin producing delicious berries in the first year, twice a season: in summer and early fall. Biennial raspberries also produce delicious fruit, but they are quite sensitive to cold and can be damaged by winter frost. Among the additional characteristics of everbearing varieties is their inferior taste compared to biennials. Moreover, sometimes the autumn harvest simply doesn't have time to fully ripen due to unfavorable weather conditions.

For those looking for suitable raspberry varieties to not only provide themselves and their families with delicious berries, but also to generate a good profit in the long run, the following are considered good summer berry varieties:

• Lashku;
• Octavia;
• Zyugana.

Choosing the right variety is the first thing that will influence your ability to achieve tangible results in growing berries.

Video: Choosing a Raspberry Variety

This video will show you how to choose the right raspberry variety.

Business plan for growing

The first component of any business plan is market monitoring, determining the demand for raspberries. The fruits of this berry crop contain a huge number of vitamins and microelements, and they are also delicious. Therefore, if you haven't yet decided to grow raspberries on your property for business, you'll definitely find a market, as raspberries are quite popular. Markets, for example, are where raspberries from garden plots and vegetable patches are sold. But this is just the beginning. Farmers looking to expand in this field will be interested in the fact that they can subsequently arrange direct deliveries to various stores and cafes. This way, you can earn money, and the owners will be satisfied, as they will be confident in the quality and freshness of your berries.

The downside of this type of business is that it's seasonal. However, with the best-case scenario, you can make a decent profit before the fall. Growing this crop commercially is also advantageous because you don't need to spend large sums on fertilizers or vitamins. The main thing is to water the plant regularly; you can forget about the berries until they're fully ripe.

Organization of the process

Growing raspberries as a business doesn't require huge investments, which is quite important, for example, for those living in rural areas. The main thing is to prepare the plot for planting raspberries and then purchase high-quality varieties of the berry.

Most farmers begin growing raspberries in their gardens. You can start with just a few acres and then expand your enterprise later. However, when developing a sound business plan, you should consider possible additional costs and start-up investments, as well as potential risks.

What you'll need to invest in is an irrigation system. Watering raspberries by hand regularly is quite difficult, and the results won't be as good. A high-quality irrigation system will distribute moisture evenly, and it's essential not only for the berry's root system but also for the stems and leaves. Be sure to also budget for insecticides.

Once you have a general strategy for promoting your raspberry business, it's worth weighing the pros and cons of officially registering your still-small business. Farmers typically register only if their farmland is larger than 1 hectare. If you do decide to set up as a sole proprietor, it's best to opt for the simplified tax system (UST). This way, you'll only need to pay the state 6% of your gross revenue.

Necessary equipment

Growing raspberries as a business requires a serious approach, as once you've registered as a sole proprietor, your garden or allotment provides for more than just you. It's crucial to meet delivery deadlines and strive to provide your customers with the agreed-upon volumes of berries. After that, everything depends on your efforts and, to a certain extent, on weather conditions. How can you achieve high results when growing raspberries commercially? You need to acquire not only high-quality planting material but also equipment. Don't worry, you don't need expensive gardening tools or machinery. All you need is a hand cultivator and a watering system.

Distribution routes

Sometimes it seems like growing raspberries isn't as difficult as finding ways to sell them. Let's say you've purchased a stationary refrigerated storage unit or a refrigerated minivan, then the storage problem is initially solved. However, if you can't store the berries for long enough, then you need to make every effort to ensure prompt sale.

Contact the management of stores or supermarkets: they may be willing to offer direct deliveries. After all, there are wholesalers who typically pick up your produce directly from you. This way, you won't have to worry about transporting your berries. However, keep in mind that wholesalers usually buy at relatively low prices. Overall, growing raspberries can be a profitable business.

Video: Growing Raspberries as a Business

This video will show you how to grow raspberries for sale.