Consistent sales
This year, about 9% fewer growers reported projected increased sales for 2016 compared with last year. However, we also see a very similar increase in growers projecting flat sales this year, resulting in about the same number of growers who have flat or increased sales as of last year. In contrast, in 2013, 21% of growers reported a decrease in sales, almost triple that of the 2014-2016 results. Overall, revenues have remained relatively stable over the past three years.
Stable profits
This year’s net profits are on par with the 2014 and 2015 results. In fact, this year’s figures are approximately the average of the previous two years, with 93% of growers expecting profit margins to remain the same or increase next year. This is also reinforced with the sales figures, which have also remained consistent over the past three years. When we asked this question in 2012, asking respondents to reflect on their profits over the previous three years (2010, 2011, 2012), 35% reported a loss, and only 33% turned a profit in that time period.
Edibles still on top
Growers’ crop line-ups remained by and large similar to last year, with the most significant increase in production appearing in finished produce, up 4% from last year, and decrease in potted flowering plants, down to 38% from 44%. About 13% of growers last year projected that finished produce would be the crop that they increased production of the most. Annuals/bedding color is still being grown by the majority of growers, with perennials following very closely behind. Back in 2011, 57% of growers planned to produce more vegetable plants, and that increase continued in 2014 with 43% of growers, as edibles gardening continued to rise, but we’re not seeing as big of increases as of late. Grow-your-own is still popular, as shown by the 60% of growers who are still producing edible crop transplants, but they seem to have worked out how much supply they need for their local demand. This was the first year we asked about cannabis production, and 1% of growers have reported adding it.
Explore the November 2016 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
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