How to Sell Microgreens for Profit

Microgreens can be high margin when you combine consistent quality with clear customer communication.

Pricing microgreens for sustainable profit

Microgreens typically sell between $25 and $50 per pound at retail, but your actual margin depends on variety, growing medium, and labor time. Start by calculating the true cost per tray: seeds, soil or mat, water, electricity for lights, and the minutes you spend seeding, watering, and harvesting. Divide by your average yield weight to get cost per ounce.

Price at a minimum of three times your per-ounce cost to cover overhead and leave room for growth. Premium varieties like amaranth or shiso can command higher prices, while staples like sunflower and pea shoots sell in larger volumes. A smart product mix balances both: high-volume staples for steady cash flow and specialty varieties for premium margin.

Offer tiered pricing for restaurants and chefs who order weekly. A standing order of 10 trays per week at a slight discount still beats one-off sales because it guarantees predictable revenue and reduces your harvest waste.

Building a repeat customer base for microgreens

Microgreens have a short shelf life, which means your customers need to reorder frequently. This is an advantage if you build a communication system around it. Send a weekly availability notification two days before harvest so buyers can plan their orders. Consistency is everything: if customers know they will hear from you every Tuesday with a Thursday pickup, ordering becomes a habit.

At farmers markets, offer a free sample tray with a QR code that links to your subscriber signup. Tasting is the single most effective conversion tool for microgreens because many consumers have never tried them. Once they taste fresh sunflower shoots, the sell is almost automatic.

For restaurant clients, include a printed harvest schedule with each delivery showing what varieties are coming in the next two to four weeks. Chefs plan menus ahead, and giving them visibility into your pipeline makes you an indispensable supplier rather than an occasional vendor.

Frequently asked questions

Which microgreens are easiest to sell?

Sunflower, pea shoots, and radish are usually strong starters for direct sales.

How should I set pricing?

Start from tray cost and labor, then add a target margin you can sustain.

How do I get repeat buyers?

Offer recurring pickup options and send reminders before harvest day.