How Much Can You Make Selling Microgreens – Profit Guide

🌱 Why Microgreens Are At the Center of a Profitable Local Food Movement

Microgreens have moved from chef-only garnishes to a widely recognized superfood and specialty crop. These young seedlings of vegetables and herbs are harvested shortly after sprouting and are prized for their intense flavor, vibrant color, and dense nutritional content. Their short growing cycle, small space requirements, and premium market value have made microgreens one of the most accessible entry points into small-scale agriculture and urban farming.

Yes, it is possible to earn meaningful income selling microgreens. Profit depends on scale, crop selection, local demand, pricing strategy, and efficiency. Small growers often generate several hundred dollars per week supplying restaurants and farmers markets, while well-organized operations selling to multiple outlets can earn thousands per month. Because microgreens grow quickly and can be harvested multiple times per month, they offer one of the highest revenue potentials per square foot in specialty crop production (Treadwell et al., 2010; Kyriacou et al., 2016).

💰 Understanding Revenue Potential Per Tray and Per Square Foot

Microgreens are typically grown in 10×20 inch trays, and revenue is often calculated based on yield per tray. Depending on the crop, one tray can produce 6 to 12 ounces of finished greens. Premium varieties such as pea shoots, sunflower shoots, radish, broccoli, and specialty herbs commonly retail between $20 and $50 per pound when sold directly to consumers (Curtis et al., 2019).

At direct market pricing, a single tray may generate $6 to $25 in revenue. If a grower harvests 100 trays per week, gross revenue could range from $600 to $2,500 weekly. Higher returns are possible with specialty varieties or direct-to-consumer sales, while wholesale restaurant pricing tends to fall at the lower end.

Because microgreens can be stacked vertically, growers can produce large yields in small spaces. Research from controlled environment agriculture studies shows that vertical growing systems significantly increase productivity per square foot, improving overall profitability (Kozai et al., 2019).

📊 Startup Costs and Initial Investment

One of the most attractive aspects of microgreens production is the relatively low startup cost. A small home-based operation may begin with basic shelving, LED lights, trays, growing medium, and seeds. Initial investments typically range from $200 to $1,000 depending on scale and equipment quality.

Seeds represent one of the most significant ongoing costs. High-quality, untreated seeds designed for sprouting and microgreens are essential for food safety and uniform growth. Growing media such as coconut coir or hemp mats provide moisture retention and cleanliness, while proper lighting ensures consistent development (Resh, 2013).

Electricity, water, packaging, and sanitation supplies add modest recurring expenses. Compared with traditional farming, microgreens production avoids many high costs associated with land, machinery, and fuel.

🌿 Most Profitable Microgreens to Grow

Not all microgreens provide the same financial return. Fast-growing, high-yield varieties with strong market demand tend to be the most profitable. Radish microgreens mature in as little as seven days and produce consistent yields, making them a reliable choice. Pea shoots and sunflower shoots offer higher volume yields and are popular with chefs and health-conscious consumers.

Broccoli microgreens are often marketed for their high concentration of glucosinolates, compounds associated with potential health benefits (Xiao et al., 2012). Specialty varieties such as basil, cilantro, amaranth, and shiso can command premium prices due to their culinary appeal and visual impact.

Crop diversity can help stabilize income by meeting varied customer preferences while reducing risk if one crop underperforms.

🧮 Operating Costs and Profit Margins

Operating costs include seeds, growing medium, utilities, packaging, labor, and transportation. Seed costs vary by crop but can range from $0.50 to $2.00 per tray. Media and utilities may add another $0.50 to $1.50 per tray.

When direct marketing to consumers, profit margins can reach 50 to 70 percent due to higher retail pricing. Wholesale pricing to restaurants and grocery stores typically results in margins between 20 and 40 percent, but offers consistent volume and predictable demand (Curtis et al., 2019).

Efficiency plays a major role in profitability. Optimizing watering, seeding density, and harvest timing reduces waste and improves yield. Controlled environment agriculture research emphasizes consistency and sanitation as critical factors for maintaining high-quality output and preventing crop loss (Kozai et al., 2019).

🛒 Where to Sell Microgreens for Maximum Income

Sales channels strongly influence earnings. Direct-to-consumer options such as farmers markets, community supported agriculture subscriptions, and local delivery services typically offer the highest profit margins. Customers in these markets often value freshness, local production, and sustainability.

Restaurants provide consistent demand and may purchase multiple varieties weekly. Chefs value uniform size, vibrant color, and reliable delivery. Establishing relationships with culinary professionals can create stable long-term revenue streams.

Health food stores and co-ops also present opportunities, especially when microgreens are marketed for their nutritional density and freshness.

🌎 Nutritional Appeal and Consumer Demand

Microgreens are widely recognized for their high nutrient density. Studies have found that certain microgreens contain significantly higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants than their mature plant counterparts (Xiao et al., 2012). Broccoli, red cabbage, and cilantro microgreens are especially rich in vitamins C, E, and K, as well as carotenoids and polyphenols.

Purslane microgreens and related succulent greens are gaining attention due to their omega-3 fatty acid content and antioxidant compounds (Uddin et al., 2014). This nutritional reputation helps justify premium pricing and strengthens consumer demand.

Growing interest in plant-based diets, functional foods, and locally produced ingredients continues to expand the market for microgreens worldwide.

🌍 Sustainability and Urban Farming Advantages

Microgreens production requires minimal land and significantly less water than conventional agriculture. Controlled environment systems can reduce water usage through recirculation and precise irrigation techniques (Barbosa et al., 2015). Short growth cycles also reduce pest pressures and eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.

Urban microgreens farms contribute to local food security by shortening supply chains and providing fresh produce close to consumers. Their low environmental footprint aligns with increasing consumer interest in sustainable food systems.

📈 Scaling Up: From Side Income to Full-Time Business

Many growers begin with a small setup and expand as demand increases. Scaling involves adding shelving, improving lighting efficiency, diversifying crops, and refining distribution systems. Recordkeeping and scheduling become essential as production volume grows.

Successful growers often focus on building consistent weekly orders rather than relying solely on variable market sales. Subscription models and standing restaurant orders provide predictable income and reduce waste.

With efficient systems and established markets, microgreens businesses can evolve from supplemental income to full-time operations.

🧾 Works Cited

• Barbosa, G. L., et al. (2015). Comparison of land, water, and energy requirements of lettuce grown using hydroponic vs conventional methods.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0120564

• Curtis, K. R., et al. (2019). Microgreens: Market potential and production practices. Utah State University Extension.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1879/

• Kyriacou, M. C., et al. (2016). Microgreens as a functional food. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157516300527

• Kozai, T., Niu, G., & Takagaki, M. (2019). Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production.https://link.springer.com/book/10.1016/C2016-0-04077-3

• Resh, H. M. (2013). Hydroponic Food Production. CRC Press.https://www.routledge.com/Hydroponic-Food-Production/Resh/p/book/9781439878675

• Treadwell, D. D., et al. (2010). Microgreens: A new specialty crop. University of Florida IFAS Extension.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1164

• Xiao, Z., et al. (2012). Assessment of vitamin and carotenoid concentrations of emerging food products: edible microgreens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf300459b

• Uddin, M. K., Juraimi, A. S., Hossain, M. S., et al. (2014). Purslane weed (Portulaca oleracea): a prospective plant source of nutrition, omega-3 fatty acid, and antioxidant attributes. Scientific World Journal.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/951019/

• Mir, S. A., Shah, M. A., & Mir, M. M. (2017). Microgreens: Production, shelf life, and bioactive components. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2016.1144557

• Di Gioia, F., et al. (2017). Microgreens: Novel fresh and functional food. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043452616300956

• Choe, U., Yu, L. L., & Wang, T. T. Y. (2018). The science behind microgreens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b03096

• Kyriacou, M. C., et al. (2019). Cultivation practices for improving microgreens quality. Agronomy.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/12/821

• USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Local food marketing practices.https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/local-regional

• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA). Controlled environment agriculture.https://attra.ncat.org/product/controlled-environment-agriculture/

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Growing greener cities.https://www.fao.org/3/i1610e/i1610e.pdf

• Pennsylvania State Extension. Microgreens: Production and marketing.https://extension.psu.edu/microgreens-production-and-marketing