31 Great Fruit & Vegetable Business Ideas You Can Start In 2024

Updated: July 24th, 2023

Would you like to start your own fruit and vegetable business but still need to find the right business idea?

There are countless fruit business ideas you can try and earn a decent profit. While it sounds exciting to start your own fruits business, it's important that you run with the right idea.

Your goal should be to build a fruit business that is not only profitable but can also ensure your long-term success.

Hopefully, all of the fruit & vegetable business ideas listed here will give you inspiration and a head start for the 2024 year.

1. Start a pickle business

Pickle is a juice of vegetables or fruits preserved in brine or vinegar. The global demand for packed pickles is snowballing, making it a viable fruit & vegetable business idea.

How much you can make: $10,000/month

How We Launched A Viral Pickle Juice To Cure Our Hangovers

Brine Brothers sells all-natural pickle brine (pickle juice), generating over $10,000/month and winning an investment from Barstool and Jon Taffer, and is determined to become a million-dollar beverage company.

About
Harris started Brine Brothers about 7 years ago
Revenue
Harris grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 14,599 founders

2. Start a sell fruit and vegetable seedlings

Home gardening is becoming a norm due to the rising cost of food and the demand for healthier alternatives. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for fruit and vegetable seedlings, which creates entrepreneurs' opportunities.

How much you can make: $400,000/month

How We Started A $400K/Month Business Selling Seeds And Growing Supplies

True Leaf Market, an independent seed company offering heirloom, non-GMO, and organic seeds, growing supplies, and starter kits, has grown to a profitable $400k/month business, with revenue diversified across their website, 3rd party online sellers, Amazon, eBay, brick and mortar health food stores, and fulfillment services, and plans to continue growth through acquisitions and onboarding 50 to 100 new SKUs monthly.

About
Parker started True Leaf Market almost 50 years ago
Revenue
Parker grew the business to $400K/month
Read by 36,433 founders

3. Start a vegetable farm

Do you have some idle land and are willing to start a vegetable business?

Mushrooms, micro greens, ginseng, lavender, and bonsai plants are some profitable vegetables you can grow and sell.

4. Start a sell farm fresh cocktail

Cocktails are a great way to beat the summer heat. You can grow some juicy fruits and vegetables and establish a roadside farm-fresh cocktail stall.

How much you can make: $7,000/month

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

How We Left Our Jobs At Tech Companies To Sell Farm Fresh Cocktail Ingredients

Simple Goodness Sisters is a lifestyle beverage brand that produces "farm to bar" cocktail mixers and accessories made with natural, sustainable ingredients, growing at a rate of 4 times their original production.

About
Belinda started Simple Goodness Sisters over 5 years ago
Revenue
Belinda grew the business to $7K/month
Costs
It cost Belinda $30000 to start the business
Read by 8,518 founders

5. Start a smoothie business

Smoothie is a blend of whole fruits containing bananas, yogurt, honey, ice cream, and other ingredients.

Smoothie businesses attract health-conscious consumers, and their mass appeal has grown tremendously.

In the US alone, smoothie bars are a 3-billion-dollar industry. Therefore, starting your smoothie business can be a great idea from an entrepreneur’s standpoint. To start your smoothie bar, consider an ideal location, and ensure a proper shop format. The alternative smoothie shop formats include:

  • Dine in Plenty of seating space: customers order and pay at the counter.
  • Window only: Serves takeaway smoothies with customers ordering and paying at the counter
  • Food truck: Mobile smoothie shop allowing you to connect with a more extensive customer

The rising popularity of healthy juices and the low startup cost makes the smoothie industry an appealing frozen food business idea.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How One Woman Went From WIC To CEO Of Her Own Smoothie Empire

Simple Green Smoothies boasts a free 7-day smoothie challenge that has helped over 2 million people take control of their health and generates revenue with programs ranging from a 21-day cleanse to a plant-based meal planner, bringing in as much as $30k a month and also working to help women farmers in Cambodia build mushroom farms through World Hope International.

About
Jen started Simple Green Smoothies over 11 years ago
Revenue
Jen grew the business to $30K/month
Read by 10,779 founders

6. Start a fruit delivery business

With today's busy lifestyles, people have turned to food delivery services. You can start a fruit delivery business, where you source fruits from reputable farms or groceries and deliver them to customers at a fee.

Alternatively, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables and deliver them to customers.

How much you can make: $5,000/month

Making $5K Per Month Mailing People Melons

Honeydew Lists mails editable honeydew melons for a unique way of creating a "honey-do" list, attracting 30 customers on its initial launch and anticipating $5000 revenue within its first month.

About
Ivory started Honeydew over 5 years ago
Revenue
Ivory grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 4,118 founders

7. Start an applesauce business

There is a rising demand for healthy ready-to-consume products. One alternative is applesauce, which is rich in antioxidants and provides plenty of nutrients. If you are looking for a fruit business idea, you can start manufacturing applesauce and sell it to healthy-foods-conscious consumers.

How much you can make: $40,000/month

How An Entrepreneur From Ohio Launched His Own Applesauce Company

Ohio entrepreneur grows natural applesauce product from his mom's kitchen to 200 Midwest store locations, selling up to 4,000 units monthly and appearing in news outlets like Black Enterprise and Fox 8, while also giving speeches and presentations to schools, universities, and summer camps.

About
Ethan started Holmes Mouthwatering over 9 years ago
Revenue
Ethan grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Ethan $500000 to start the business
Read by 4,309 founders

8. Start a fruit snacks business

Love snacking? As consumers become more health-conscious, they are turning to fruit snacks. Therefore, starting a fruit snacks business today can be a great idea.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $35 (?)

Peaceful Fruits: Growing A Fruit Snack Business For A Good Cause

Peaceful Fruits, an award-winning for-profit social enterprise, sells organic, clean label, natural fruit snacks and has gone from $8,000 in sales in 2015 to $150,000 in 2017, employing 30 people with disabilities in their production facility and is an excellent example of a successful, mission-based business.

About
Evan started Peaceful Fruits almost 10 years ago
Revenue
Evan grew the business to $15K/month
Read by 7,698 founders

9. Start a sauce and ketchup business

Ketchup is used primarily in commercial fast-food shops, but its demand is increasing at the household level. The demand for ketchup is supported by the significant growth in the food and beverage industry.

How much you can make: $2,250 — $12,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 86 days (?)

How We Started A Successful Hot Sauce Brand

Trini Pepper Sauce co-founder and co-owner, Mustafa Mannan, shares how he successfully imported and manufactured his family's unique pepper sauce recipe and launched it through a Kickstarter campaign, now selling an average of $3,000/month in revenue.

About
Mustafa started Trini Pepper Sauce over 10 years ago
Revenue
Mustafa grew the business to $2.25K/month
Read by 33,366 founders

10. Start an organic farm

An organic farm uses ecologically based pest control and biological fertilizers derived from animal and plant wastes.

More people have become conscious of the health benefits of organic farm produce. As a result, the demand for organic farm produce is overgrowing, creating a business opportunity for farmers across the globe.

Therefore, if you are interested in organic farming, consider starting the business. You do not need massive land to begin your organic farm.

Start with creating an organic farm in your backyard using vertical farming. You can grow flowers, vegetables, or cereals on your organic farm.

How much you can make: $50,000/month

The Simple Way to Finally Set up and Sell Your Online Course (And Scale to $40k a Month and Beyond)

Urban farmer Nate Dodson started MicroGreens Farmer in 2016 to combat Crohn's disease and has since helped others start microgreens-related businesses.

About
They started MicroGreens Farmer over 8 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 776 founders

11. Start a hydroponic farm business

A hydroponic farm is a modern method of growing crops that uses only small amounts of soil, with all other nutrients needed to be provided in liquid form.

The production of hydroponic crops takes place indoors, generally under artificial lighting and protected by some form of physical covering or insulated blanket to retain the appropriate, close-to-nature temperature and humidity levels necessary to ensure healthy plant growth. This type of farming saves a lot of time and energy.

Hydroponic farming is very profitable, and farmland the size of an acre will yield between $200,000 and $250,000 each year, while traditional farmland gives you between $20,000 and $30,000.

12. Start a packed cut vegetables business

13. Start a fruit canning business

An often-overlooked opportunity for profit is the fruit canning business. Fruit canning can generate a lot of money as you supply natural and healthy fruits to consumers.

To start a fruit canning business, you can source fruits from suppliers across the country or from your fruit farm.

You can put up your fruit canning plant at home in your garage to avoid the cost of rent and other commercial licenses you would pay if you were to set up the plant in a commercial area.

Before starting the fruit processing business, investigate the local laws and explore the market, identifying potential customers and mapping out your competition.

Then, ensure a reliable supply of fruits, and go for high-quality produce.

14. Start a door-to-door vegetable selling business

15. Start a fruits and vegetables distribution business

16. Start a fruit cups and bowls selling business

17. Start a fruits and vegetables wholesaling business

18. Start a fruit art and carvings business

19. Start a fruits store

Starting a fruit store can be a rewarding and lucrative business idea for those who love working with fresh produce and helping customers lead healthier lives. As a fruit store owner, you will be responsible for sourcing and selling fresh fruits and vegetables to your customers.

To start a fruit store, you must secure a physical location with adequate space to store and display your products. This may be a standalone store or a kiosk within a larger retail space. You will also need to secure a reliable source of fresh produce to sell, which may involve working with local farmers or wholesalers.

In addition to sourcing and selling fruits and vegetables, you may also consider offering other related products, such as smoothies, juices, and prepared fruit salads. To run your fruit store successfully, you will need to have excellent customer service skills and be able to keep track of inventory and pricing.

Marketing and advertising your fruit store will also be crucial to attracting and retaining customers. This may involve creating social media profiles, running promotions, and participating in local events and farmer’s markets.

Starting a fruit store can be a challenging but rewarding business venture. With the proper planning and execution, you can build a successful fruit store that helps your customers lead healthier, happier lives.

How much you can make: $4,000/month

How to Start a Roadside Produce Stand: $1000 a Weekend Flipping Peaches

This case study highlights how a roadside produce stand can earn up to $3000 over the weekend by finding a busy location and paying a base rate of $25 per day for putting up the stand.

Revenue
Shannon grew the business to $4K/month
Read by 843 founders

20. Start a candied fruits selling business

21. Start a fruit and vegetable cart business

22. Start a growing products business

The "growing products business" is an innovative idea that involves the production and sale of products that are made from plants that are grown in a controlled environment. These products can include vegetables, herbs, flowers, and more.

To run this business, you will need to invest in a greenhouse or other controlled growing environment, as well as the necessary equipment and supplies such as seeds, soil, and fertilizers. You will also need to have a basic understanding of horticulture and plant care.

One of the main benefits of running this type of business is the ability to control the growing conditions, which can lead to higher quality and more consistent products. Additionally, the demand for locally grown, organic produce is on the rise, providing a potential market for your products.

This business can be run on a small or large scale, depending on your resources and goals. It can be run as a traditional brick-and-mortar operation, or you can sell your products online or at farmers' markets.

Overall, the "growing products business" is a unique and rewarding opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs who have a passion for horticulture and a desire to make a positive impact on the environment and their community.

23. Become a vegan cookbook author

24. Start a roadside farm stand business

25. Start a Botanical Pesticide Production Business

Botanical pesticide production is a business that involves the growing and processing of plant-based pesticides. This business is ideal for people who enjoy working with plants and want to learn how to grow them and make their own pesticides.

Botanical pesticide production can be profitable, with great returns on investment. The estimated cost of pesticide use in the U.S. is approximately $12 billion annually. Meanwhile, the top pesticide manufacturers reap over $150 billion in profit each year from pesticides and other agricultural technologies.

Starting a botanical pesticide production business is not very difficult, as long as you have the right tools and ingredients at hand. Anyone can start a Botanical Pesticide Production business by learning about the products in this industry.

26. Start a fruit jam selling business

The fruit jam-selling business involves creating and selling homemade or commercially produced fruit jams. Depending on the production scale, this business can be run from a home kitchen or a commercial kitchen.

To start a fruit jam-selling business, you will need to research and source high-quality fruit, create a unique jam recipe, and determine the target market for your products. You will also need to consider the cost of ingredients, packaging materials, and labeling requirements.

To sell your jams, you can use various channels such as farmers’ markets, online marketplaces, or wholesale distribution to stores and restaurants. Establishing a solid brand identity and creating visually appealing packaging to stand out in the market is essential.

To run a successful fruit jam-selling business, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of food safety regulations and adhere to them. You should also be willing to continually innovate and diversify your product range to meet changing consumer demand. Building relationships with customers and suppliers and investing in marketing will also be key to growing your business.

27. Start an exotic fruits selling business

28. Start a fruit and vegetable chips business

Are you interested in offering solutions that support change in consumer lifestyle? If yes, consider starting a business inclined towards healthy fruit and vegetables. According to experts, the global healthy fruit and vegetable chips market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.1% over the next few years.

The market growth results from increased awareness and preference for functional, convenient, and flavored ready-to-eat snacks. Opening a fruit and vegetable business could be a lucrative business based on the market potential.

29. Start a Fruits And Vegetables Export Business

Fruits and vegetables exporting is a branch of the agriculture industry. This business involves the export of fresh fruits, and vegetables from one location to another location.

The U.S. fruit and vegetable exports to other countries have increased by $7.2 billion since last year, a 4-percent increase. Due to its geographic proximity and climate, Canada remained the top U.S. market for exports valued at $3.7 billion.

To start this business, you need to buy or collect fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. Then you need to export these goods. You can export these goods through any shipping company or supplier. You can also use online platforms for exporting.

It is an easy business to run if you have a good understanding of it. You don't need a lot of capital to start this business and can make money from your own home.

30. Start a fruit butters and cheese business

Fruit butter and cheese is a unique and growing business opportunity for entrepreneurs. The process involves taking fresh fruit and pureeing it into a spreadable consistency, similar to jams or jellies. However, fruit butter is typically made with less sugar and is cooked for a longer period of time, giving it a deeper and more concentrated flavor.

Cheese is also a popular product in the fruit butter and cheese business. This can include soft and creamy cheeses made with fruit purees and harder and more aged options. The key to success in this business is sourcing high-quality ingredients and experimenting with different flavor combinations to stand out in the market.

To run a successful fruit butter and cheese business, it is important to focus on the following tips:

Research the market: Understanding your target audience and competitors is crucial for success. Research local farmers’ markets and specialty food stores to get a feel for what products are already available and what gaps in the market you can fill.

Source top-quality ingredients: The quality of your fruit and cheese will directly affect the quality of your products. Invest in fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Experiment with flavor combinations: Don’t be afraid to try new and unique flavor combinations. Consider using unusual fruits or pairing fruit with complementary flavors like herbs or spices.

Invest in proper packaging: Attractive packaging is important for attracting customers and protecting your products. Invest in high-quality containers and labels to stand out on store shelves.

Build a strong brand: Building a strong brand is essential for success in any business. This includes creating a cohesive brand image, developing a strong social media presence and consistently delivering top-quality products to customers.

Following these tips, entrepreneurs can successfully launch and grow a fruit butter and cheese business. This business can be a profitable and fulfilling venture with a focus on quality ingredients, innovative flavor combinations, and strong branding.

31. Start a roadside fruit stall business

How much you can make: $4,000/month

How to Start a Roadside Produce Stand: $1000 a Weekend Flipping Peaches

This case study highlights how a roadside produce stand can earn up to $3000 over the weekend by finding a busy location and paying a base rate of $25 per day for putting up the stand.

Revenue
Shannon grew the business to $4K/month
Read by 843 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.