Local fertiliser and soil products yard
Stock bagged and bulk fertilisers and soil products at a small yard and deliver to farms, growers and allotment sites.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
2,599 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46750 “Wholesale of chemical products”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small rural yard or unit where you hold fertilisers, lime, compost and soil improvers. Customers collect, or you deliver by truck or van. You can mix trade supply for growers with bagged retail for gardeners.
Your first three steps
- Visit local farms and growers to find out what they buy now, what they pay and what service they want
- Look for a yard or unit with safe storage and lorry access, and ask the council about planning use
- Open trade accounts with two or three wholesalers and compare prices, minimum orders and delivery terms
Who pays
Farmers, horticultural growers, landscapers, sports clubs, allotment societies and keen gardeners.
How it makes money
You buy in bulk and sell at a margin, with delivery charges on top. Steady seasonal customers and bulk orders drive the income.
Skills that help
- Sales and customer service
- Driving and handling loads safely
- Stock control and ordering
- Understanding what growers need
Watch out for
- Storage and sale rules for ammonium nitrate and other fertilisers, check with HSE, your local fire service and your council
- Planning permission and business rates for the yard, check with your council
- Environmental permits or waste exemptions if you sell compost or other waste-derived products, check with the Environment Agency (or the equivalent body in your nation)
- Product labelling and bulk weighing rules, check with Trading Standards
- Cash tied up in stock and slow-paying customers
- Public liability, goods in transit and stock insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire
🔒 Full research report for UK
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a fertiliser and soil products yard?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the yard, the stock you hold and any delivery vehicle. Cash tied up in stock and slow-paying customers are worth planning for.
How much can a local fertiliser yard earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your product range, prices and the mix of farm, grower and gardener customers. Revenue is not profit, so allow for stock, fuel and running costs.
What rules should I check before opening a fertiliser yard?
Check the storage and sale rules for ammonium nitrate and other fertilisers with HSE, your local fire service and your council. Also check planning permission, business rates, environmental permits for compost, and labelling and bulk weighing rules with Trading Standards.
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