Food export business with a small store and packing unit

Overseas importers, distributors and specialty retailers who want a range of Australian products in one order.

You earn a margin on products bought and resold, and may add fees for packing, labelling or sourcing. Regular repeat orders help cover rent and costs.

• Stock control and logistics
• Sales and relationship building
• Attention to food safety and labelling
• Managing cash flow

• Food storage and handling may need council registration and food safety checks, so check with your local council and state food authority
• Some products need export permits or registration through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, so check each product
• Check the importing country's labelling, shelf-life and import rules
• Holding stock ties up cash, and unsold or expired stock is a risk
• Check public liability, product liability, cargo and stock insurance
• Workers compensation insurance is needed once you hire staff, so check your state's scheme

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the unit you rent, how much stock you hold and your packing setup. These are estimates only. Holding stock ties up cash, so allow for unsold or expired stock.

Check before you start. Food storage and handling may need council registration and food safety checks, so ask your local council and state food authority. Some products need export permits or registration through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, so check each product.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your product range, order sizes and number of overseas buyers. That is revenue, not profit, and stock costs come out of it. Plan on at least 25 hours a week.