Small olive grove with your own oil label

Locals and visitors at farmers' markets, gift shoppers, delis, cafes and restaurants, and online customers.

Sell bottles at a retail price direct to customers and at a wholesale price to shops and restaurants. Each season's yield varies, so sales are spread across the year.

• Basic farming and tree care
• Patience, as young trees take years to crop
• Selling and talking to customers
• Keeping records

• Trees can take several years to produce a worthwhile crop, so check how you will cover costs until then
• Check council zoning rules and any approvals for a rural business on your land
• Check labelling rules for olive oil and any food business registration with your local council or state food authority
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Weather, pests and water supply can affect the harvest

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the grove size, whether you buy or lease, and your bottling and labelling. Young trees can take several years to produce a worthwhile crop, so plan how to cover costs until then.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your harvest and where you sell, such as markets, delis or online. Weather, pests and water supply can affect the harvest.

Check council zoning rules and any approvals for a rural business on your land. Also check labelling rules for olive oil, any food business registration with your council or state food authority, and public liability and product liability insurance.