Fresh-pressed apple cider for markets and shops
Press local apples into fresh, non-alcoholic cider and sell at farmers' markets, cafés and fall events.
- C$6k-30k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A seasonal business pressing apples into fresh sweet cider (unfermented apple juice), bottled and sold cold. You can press in a rented commercial kitchen or a shared facility, or on a partner farm.
Your first three steps
- Ask your local public health unit what approval and juice safety steps (such as pasteurization or treatment) are needed to sell fresh cider
- Agree a supply of apples with an orchard, and find a commercial kitchen or shared space where you can press and bottle
- Test small batches, price them against local juices, and apply for a spot at one or two farmers' markets
Who pays
Farmers' market shoppers, cafés, farm shops, fall fairs, corporate event buyers and families looking for local seasonal drinks.
How it makes money
Price per bottle or jug, with extras such as spiced cider, bulk orders for events and wholesale to small shops. Most sales fall in autumn and early winter.
Skills that help
- Food handling and hygiene
- Pressing and bottling
- Selling face to face
- Planning around a short season
Watch out for
- Rules on unpasteurized juice and required treatment, which differ by province and health unit
- Food business permits and inspections for your production space
- Labelling requirements, including nutrition and bilingual labels where they apply
- Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
- Short season and weather, so plan how to cover slow winter months
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: fresh-pressed apple cider for markets and shops
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 fresh-pressed cider business?
Startup costs are typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on whether you press in a rented commercial kitchen, a shared facility or on a partner farm.
Do I need a permit to sell fresh-pressed cider in Canada?
Check the rules on unpasteurized juice and required treatment, which differ by province and health unit. Also check food business permits and inspections for your production space, and labelling requirements including nutrition and bilingual labels where they apply.
How much can a fresh-pressed cider business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your markets and outlets. It is a seasonal business with a short season and weather effects, so plan how to cover slow winter months.
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