Small-batch soy sauce from a shared kitchen
Brew craft soy sauce in rented commercial kitchen space and sell it at markets, local shops and to chefs.
- C$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You make small batches of naturally fermented soy sauce, or a quicker-brewed style, in a licensed shared or commissary kitchen. You ferment, press, bottle and label it yourself, and rent the space by the hour or month rather than building your own facility.
Your first three steps
- Make test batches at home for your own use only, then research traditional and quick-brew methods and decide on your style
- Contact shared or commissary kitchens in your area and ask about rental rates, storage space and whether they allow long fermentation
- Talk to your local public health unit or provincial food regulator about what approvals, testing and labelling your product needs before selling
Who pays
Farmers' market shoppers, independent grocers and specialty food shops, local restaurants and food-gift buyers.
How it makes money
You sell bottles at a retail price at markets and online, and at a lower wholesale price to shops and restaurants. A distinctive flavour, local story or organic ingredients can justify a higher price.
Skills that help
- Patience with long fermentation
- Careful record keeping and hygiene
- Selling and talking to buyers
- Basic food costing
Watch out for
- Food premises approval and any process review or testing your public health unit or province requires, check before you sell
- Selling across provincial borders or exporting may need a Safe Food for Canadians licence from the CFIA, check the current rules
- Labels: bilingual requirements, allergen declarations (soy and wheat), sodium and nutrition information, check CFIA guidance
- Quebec has its own food rules and French-language labelling requirements
- Product liability and commercial general liability insurance, and any insurance the kitchen requires
- Fermentation takes months, so plan cash flow for a long wait before the first sales
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: small-batch soy sauce from a shared kitchen
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 small-batch soy sauce business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on equipment, kitchen rental and packaging. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $800 to $4,000, though fermentation takes months, so plan cash flow for a wait.
What rules apply to making and selling soy sauce in Canada?
Check food premises approval and any process review or testing your public health unit or province requires. Also check CFIA licensing for interprovincial sales or export, bilingual labels, allergen declarations for soy and wheat, sodium information, and Quebec's French-language rules.
How long does it take before I can sell my own soy sauce?
Fermentation takes months, so plan your cash flow for a long wait before the first sales. The estimate is at least about 8 hours a week, and you can rent shared kitchen space by the hour or month.
Other ways to run this business
Similar food ideas
Online Japanese pantry store
Sell Japanese sauces, snacks and ingredients online, shipped to customers across Canada.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online Italian pantry and gift boxes
Sell Italian pasta, oils and treats online, with curated gift boxes and local delivery or shipping.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online specialty soda store with local delivery
Sell craft sodas and mixers online, deliver locally and supply nearby cafés and bars from a small storage space.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Pop-up cosplay café on weekends
Run a themed café for a day or weekend in a rented space or at a fan event, with costumed staff.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Part-time rice supply round
Buy sealed sacks of rice from a larger supplier and deliver to a handful of local restaurants and shops each week.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-batch food brand from a shared kitchen
Rent hourly time in a licensed commercial kitchen to make a packaged product for local shops and cafés.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises