Start Your Own Raspberry Farming Business | Growing Raspberries to Earn Money | Growing Raspberries

The raspberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus of the rose family, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus; the name also applies to these plants themselves. Raspberries are perennial with woody stems.

Raspberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all temperate regions of the world.

Many of the most important modern commercial red raspberry cultivars derive from hybrids between R. idaeus and R. strigosus.(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)


Raspberries is a favorite main ingredient for many food preparation and product and using them needs a lot of them.




The potential of growing this fruit for money-making purpose is great. Read on and learn how.

Just imagine this: $4.25 for a box of berries is not enough to make you half a pie thus there is a need for sure to buy several boxes. Make this as a hypothetical foundation on how you can make a profitable business out of growing raspberries. What this would amount to is the tremendous demand and sales for raspberries which any business-minded individual out there will sure grab for the taking. And what this taking means is planting raspberries for profit.

Now if you are the person who is interested in growing raspberries and knows the potential of this farming business, the tips on planting raspberries for profit below will help you put yourself in the right footing.

Things to Know While Planting Raspberries for Profit

One of the basic foundation of any business venture especially if it is about farming is knowing the crop or plant you are growing. In this regards, it is important for you to grow your raspberries in a suitable location. This means the land which your raspberries should grow ought to be rich in organic compounds and sandy in nature. It is also important to make sure that your raspberries should get ample sunlight as they grow. Another tip about growing this in-demand fruit is that your location for it should not be in a low lying area where there is a possibility that water clogging can happen in the farm during spring. Also, do not attempt to plant your raspberries in a crest of a hill. The reason for this is to avoid the plant getting affected by too much wind.

Make Money in Growing Raspberries

If all is done regarding the production and farming side of the growing raspberries, the next step or task that should be given attention to is how to dispose and make money out of them as easily as possible.

There are various ways wherein you can approach this task. First you have the option to sell it right before your home and advertising it through leaflets in your community. This is a simple step. The next one is getting involved in farm markets wherein various crops and vegetables and fruits are being sold in a certain location. You can exploit this second option since customers is sure to approach you in this situation.

How to Become a raspberry farmer

Becoming a raspberry farmer involves having a detailed understanding of the agricultural industry, including land and soil requirements for growing raspberries, the use of various types of farming equipment, cultivation, care, harvesting and processing of fruits, storage of raspberries and market sale and transfer specifications. Becoming a raspberry farmer can be approached as a business startup operation, or as an addition to an existing farming business.

Step 1

Secure funding necessary to launch your operation. If you don't already own farm land, equipment, vehicles and buildings, this step is similar to starting any small business, which involves creation of a business plan and applying for a small business loan. If you are already in the farming business and are adding raspberries as a crop, funding will be needed to buy raspberry plants, fertilizers and chemicals specific to raspberry growing.

Step 2

Secure necessary business licenses and land-use permits required in your area. Visit your local city or county business licensing department or cooperative extensive service to learn about specific requirements.

Step 3

Develop a marketing plan. Raspberry plants generally do not produce fruit for at last two years after planting. Decide what you will do with the fruit after harvesting, such as selling it to a grocery distributor or processing and selling the raspberries yourself. Additional health department oversight or certification many required, depending on the scope of your operation and the intended use of your product.

Step 4

Purchase necessary equipment, including trellises, digging, pruning and hedging tools. For a large operation, consider ground-tilling equipment. Raspberries are a fast-perishing fruit that are typically kept fresh for three to seven days in refrigerated conditions. As such, advance planning is necessary for quickly harvesting, storing and transporting fruits to their intended destination.

Step 5

Find a reputable nursery or raspberry grower to purchase plants from. There are many raspberry varieties available and a knowledgeable agricultural nursery or state agriculture department can help you determine the best varieties for growing in your climate and soil type.

Step 6

Educate yourself about insect and disease management in raspberry plants. Different strains of raspberry are susceptible to various forms of fungus that can destroy fruit. Information can be found through your state department of agriculture or local extension office.

Step 7

Hire and train employees, if necessary.

Things Needed

• Startup funding
• Land
• Farm equipment
• Raspberry plants
• Business license
  
  
  

References (3)

• How to Become a raspberry farmer
• The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Publications: Growing Raspberries and Blackberries
• Growing Raspberries
  
  
  

Resources (2)

• USDA: Small Farm Funding Resources
• Raspberries
  
  

About the Author

Lisa McQuerrey has been a business writer since 1987. In 1994, she launched a full-service marketing and communications firm. McQuerrey's work has garnered awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Associated Press. She is also the author of several nonfiction trade publications, and, in 2012, had her first young-adult novel published by Glass Page Books.

Photo Credits

• Raspberry Farming Business
• Raspberry Farming Business
• Raspberry Farming Business