Roast and supply wholesale coffee

Independent cafés, restaurants, bakeries, offices and retailers wanting a local, traceable coffee.

You sell roasted coffee by the kilo at wholesale prices. Roasting yourself usually gives a better margin than reselling, but needs more equipment and volume.

• Roasting and tasting coffee
• Selling to business customers
• Planning stock, batches and deliveries

• Food business registration with your local council and food safety requirements for the premises
• Council zoning and planning rules for roasting, including smoke and odour controls
• Gas, ventilation and fire safety requirements for the roaster
• Public liability, product liability and equipment insurance
• Large upfront costs and the risk of losing a big customer

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your roaster, unit rent, ventilation and stock. These are estimates only. Large upfront costs are a real risk, so plan your equipment and cash flow carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many cafés, restaurants and retailers you supply. That is revenue, not profit. Losing a big customer can affect it noticeably.

Check food business registration with your local council and food safety requirements for the premises. Also check council zoning and planning rules, including smoke and odour controls, gas, ventilation and fire safety for the roaster, and your insurance cover.