Small batch olive oil bottling from home

Local delis, farm shops, gift box makers, cafes and small food brands who need short runs rather than pallets.

A fee per bottle for filling and labelling, or a full price per bottle including the oil and packaging, sold in small regular orders.

• Tidy, hygienic working habits
• Keeping simple batch and supplier records
• Basic label design or working with a printer
• Friendly selling to local businesses

• Food business registration with your local council, and a possible inspection of your space
• Olive oil labelling and quantity rules, so check current guidance before printing labels
• Home insurance may not cover business use, so check and arrange public liability and product liability cover
• Buying from reputable suppliers and keeping batch records so you can trace any problem
• Space and storage limits, as oil and glass bottles are heavy and need a cool, clean area

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on the bottles, labels, equipment and initial oil stock you buy, and whether you need a rented space.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many local delis, gift makers and market sellers you supply and the size of your runs. This is revenue, before costs.

Check food business registration with your local council and whether your space may be inspected. Also check olive oil labelling and quantity rules, whether home insurance covers business use, and how you will keep batch records.