Brussels sprouts are a leafy vegetable widely used in restaurants. They are high in demand in all European and American restaurants for their health benefits and flavor. However, due to a lot of people cultivating Brussels sprouts, the price cap may not be too high for the produce. Ranging anywhere between 20 rs to 80 rs per kilo, the price for Brussels sprouts varies quite a lot depending on seasons and locations. Added to this, the fact that Brussels sprouts have a relatively lower shelf life makes it difficult for them to be transported long distances. The reachability of Brussels sprouts is quite low and it is a product available in few retail groceries.
Production Details
When it comes to states, Maharashtra produces nearly 50% of all Brussels sprouts in the country followed by Karnataka which produces 20 % and Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand produce 10% of the total Brussels sprouts in the country. All other states produce less than 10 % of the total Brussels sprouts consumed in India. 90% of all Brussels sprouts come from 4 states with over 50% of them coming from just one state in India. Surprisingly, the entire country consumes Brussels sprouts throughout the year. They are available in the market and restaurants purchase them regularly.
Consumption Details
States like Delhi which has a high population and high in restaurants consume more Brussels sprouts than they produce and all this comes from other parts of the country.
When it comes to volume, India produced 1000,000 Kilos or 1000 tonnes of Brussels sprouts in the year 2021-22. India ranks tenth in Brussels sprouts production worldwide with China in first place. China produces 30 times more Brussels sprouts than India and has a higher yield per hectare too. India and China together produce nearly 70% of all Brussels sprouts cultivated in the world.
Global Market
Though India is the tenth largest producer of Brussels sprouts, it’s not in the top 10 exporters of Brussels sprouts in the world! Surprisingly, Brussels sprouts exports are either not profitable, feasible or a priority in India. The total exports of Brussels sprouts in the year 2020-21 were approximately 1000 kilos which is a very small quantity compared to the total production. The value of the exported produce was estimated to be around 1.5 thousand USD.
Cultivation area in India
Brussels sprouts are cultivated in few parts of the country in some capacity. The highest cultivation is noted in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In the south, parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra and Karnataka have small pockets where Brussels sprouts are cultivated. With the advent of electric tractors, farmers all over the country are cultivating brussels sprouts in the most environment-friendly way possible.
Market Price
The market price could be highly fluctuating which makes Brussels sprouts production risky. If the price is right you may have a bumper crop cashing in anywhere between 2 lakh rupees to 5 lakh rupees (Gross) per acre but you could also see a significant revenue drop at 20,000 Rs Gross per acre at a price as low as 10 rs per kilo. Brussels sprouts are low-priced during summer in most parts where it’s cultivated. For instance, prices may drop drastically from April to June in places like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttarakhand and peak later in the winter to go up to 50 rs or even 80 rs per kilo in November and December.
Export Potential
Though Brussels sprouts are produced widely in India. We are the tenth largest producer of Brussels sprouts, but not one of the biggest exporters of Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are exported to the USA, Germany, France, Canada and Japan. Even the exports are of small quantities and not worth a mention. India has not penetrated the export market when it comes to Brussels sprouts. China still stands first in terms of exports.
Cultivation Knowledge
Moderate to high. You need to have some expertise to understand cultivating Brussels sprouts as they require specific climatic and soil conditions. Prior experience in the cultivation of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower or other similar crops may help you, especially when it comes to pest identification and diseases.
Infrastructure cost
Moderate to high. Mulching and drip irrigation setup will avoid or reduce the costs of fertilizers and weeding. Land preparation cost is nominal and the crop matures in just 90- 120 days. However, you need to have suitable climatic and soil conditions for cultivating Brussels sprouts. They require cool and moist weather and well-drained soil with high organic matter.
Processed Food
Brussels sprouts are processed in various ways. They can be frozen, canned, pickled, roasted, or shredded. They have a short shelf life if stored fresh. You can expect the Brussels sprouts to stay relatively fresh for up to 2 weeks in the right conditions. There are many processed food units for Brussels sprouts and the demand from processors has grown tenfold in the last five years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, average profit per acre could range from 20,000 Rs per acre to 50,000 Rs per acre. The profit could vary depending on market price and is very hard to determine. Though Brussels sprouts have a short shelf life, storage costs do justify their requirement. Farmers can process their Brussels sprouts in various ways to increase their value and demand. Farmers can also incur losses in Brussels sprouts cultivation, especially during off-seasons when there is less demand and supply. So do your research, invest in the right equipment like kubota tractors, and experience returns accordingly.