Vegetable wholesale unit with cool room
Run a small unit where shops, restaurants and caterers order and collect vegetables bought in bulk.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You rent a small unit with a cool room, buy vegetables in larger volumes from growers and markets, and sell to local businesses. Customers either collect or you add a delivery service as you grow.
Your first three steps
- Price up units with a cool room or the cost of fitting one, and check the lease allows food storage
- Agree buying terms with a few growers and market suppliers and compare their prices
- Pitch to local grocers and caterers with a price list and an offer of a trial order
Who pays
Independent grocers, restaurants, caterers, aged care kitchens and market stallholders.
How it makes money
You buy in volume at a lower price and sell in smaller lots at a margin. Being able to store stock lets you buy when prices are good and take bigger orders.
Skills that help
- Buying and pricing produce
- Managing stock and wastage
- Building customer relationships
- Basic bookkeeping and GST
Watch out for
- Council approval for the premises and food business registration, check with your local council
- Food safety rules for storing and handling fresh produce, check your state's requirements
- Cool room running costs and equipment breakdowns can hurt stock
- Public liability and stock insurance
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: vegetable wholesale unit with cool room
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a vegetable wholesale business in Australia?
As an estimate, startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the unit you rent, the cool room and equipment you need, and how much stock you buy to begin with.
How much can a small vegetable wholesaler earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on how many buyers you win and the volumes you sell. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, rent, cool room running costs and wastage.
What approvals and rules should I check before starting?
Check council approval for your premises and food business registration with your local council. Also check your state's food safety requirements for storing and handling fresh produce, and arrange public liability and stock insurance.
Other ways to run this business
Similar farming and garden ideas
Local animal feed and supplies shop
Sell feed, bedding and supplies to farmers, horse owners and pet owners from a small shopfront or shed.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small flock of sheep for lamb and wool
Run a small flock on land you own or lease and sell lambs and wool through local agents or saleyards.
- A$20k-100k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small vineyard growing grapes for wineries
Look after a small or leased vineyard block and sell the grapes to local wineries each vintage.
- A$20k-100k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Wholesale orchid nursery for florists and garden centres
Run a greenhouse growing orchids in volume to supply florists, garden centres and retail buyers.
- A$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Farm machinery repair workshop
Run a small rural workshop where farmers bring tractors and implements for servicing, repairs and rebuilds.
- A$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Greenhouse orchid grower supplying florists and retailers
Run a greenhouse on rural or semi-rural land and supply flowering orchids to florists, nurseries and garden centres.
- A$15k-75k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: Cheerfully_lost on Pixabay