In the realm of specialty crop cultivation, one of the most effective strategies to amplify earnings is through the creation of value-added products. By transforming raw harvests into more desirable goods, growers can see profit increases ranging from 100 to 1,000 percent. This approach not only diversifies the product offering but also taps into consumer demand for unique and artisanal items.
Take the example of a grower who traditionally sold sedums in standard 4-inch pots at a local market. By switching to selling these plants in handcrafted hypertufa pots, adorned with colorful fused glass or decorative tiles, the perceived value skyrocketed. The result? A leap from $3 to $25 per plant, significantly boosting spring and summer sales.
Creating these pots involves a winter project of mixing perlite, peat, sand, and Portland cement to form an array of pot sizes and shapes using thrifted Tupperware and scrap materials as molds. After a drying period of about a month, the pots are filled with soil and sedums, ready for the market.
Growers can explore numerous avenues to add value to their plants:
Bamboo is highly sought after for landscaping, but its potential doesn't end there. Some growers have successfully ventured into crafting traditional Japanese "Otsugaki" style fences, which can sell for up to $100 each. Others have turned bamboo into garden art, like rocking fountains that produce a gentle clacking sound to deter deer, retailing around $100 with material costs under $10.
Transforming specialty crops into gourmet food products can yield even higher profits. A garlic grower, for instance, has found success with a garlic-cherry chutney based on a recipe from Cremona, Italy. Other popular value-added food products include:
Garlic, in particular, offers diverse value-added opportunities, from selling early-season scapes to crafting garlic-based vinegars and jellies.
Herb growers can capitalize on the demand for culinary and medicinal products. Selling window sill gardens with a variety of culinary herbs or tea gardens featuring herbs like lemon verbena and chamomile can be quite profitable. Additionally, producing essential oils for aromatherapy and creating herbal products like hand creams and bath items can multiply the value of raw herbs by 10 to 20 times.
One herb grower turned a surplus of catnip into a lucrative business by making catnip-filled cat toys, while another capitalized on the steady demand for dream pillows—herb-filled mini-pillows for relaxation and stress reduction.
Lavender is a prime example of a plant with extensive value-added potential. Beyond fresh bouquets, products like soaps, sachets, and essential oils derived from lavender can significantly enhance profits.
For those considering entering the market or seeking to increase profits through value-added techniques, the time is ripe to explore this profitable gardening niche. For further insights and a free mini-course on the most profitable plants to grow, visit Profitable Plants.
In the context of the broader market, the global essential oils market size was valued at USD 18.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2021 to 2028, according to Grand View Research. This growth is indicative of the increasing consumer interest in natural and organic products, which value-added plant products often cater to.
Moreover, the farm-to-table movement and the rise of local artisan markets have created a burgeoning demand for unique, locally-sourced food items. According to the USDA's National Farmers Market Directory, there were over 8,600 farmers' markets listed in the United States as of 2019, providing ample opportunities for growers to sell value-added products directly to consumers.
By tapping into these trends and leveraging the appeal of handcrafted and locally-produced goods, growers can not only increase their profits but also establish a loyal customer base that appreciates the quality and uniqueness of their offerings.
