How raspberries are propagated on an industrial scale. Growing raspberries as a promising business

Manual picking of berries is up to 80% of the costs in the production cycle. Such a large component of manual labor was an important obstacle to the formation of large commodity farms. The situation changed after the development of harvester models, which increased the speed of harvesting and this made it possible to grow berries on plantations ranging from several tens to several hundred hectares. For some species, such as black currants, growing on small plantations is not economically viable. The increase in space is carried out to reduce production costs and, as a result, increase the competitiveness of the product. The emergence of large plantations entails changes in the structure of plantations and the need to use special machines for high productivity at each stage of production.

Collection of currants, gooseberries and chokeberry

In Poland, for decades, black and red currants have been traditionally harvested by combine harvesters. In parallel with the new designs of harvesters used for this purpose, new varieties were bred, physical and mechanical properties who have adapted to this type of collection. Plantations for mechanized harvesting should be planted with a row width of 3.5-4 m - this allows the free implementation of all agricultural practices. The distance between plants in a row is 0.4-0.6 m, which allows the correct formation of bushes with a minimum number of branches growing along the row, which can be damaged during the passage of machinery during processing. In fields of considerable length, to ensure the unloading of harvested fruits, it is necessary to leave strips 4-6 m wide approximately every 300 m. The width of the strips for turning equipment at the ends of the rows should be at least 6-8 m, which will allow free maneuver of the units at the entrance to another row of the plantation.

The main working elements of currant harvesters are: a unit that picks up and separates the bush, shakes off, and also cleans and transports the harvested berry. Combines are issued in two versions. The first ones are designed to work on plantations with an area of ​​​​several tens of hectares, collecting the entire row in one pass. Depending on the nature of plantings (width and length of rows, yield), within one hour of harvesting, it is possible to harvest from the surface of 0.3-0.4 ha. Modern harvesters are built as self-propelled mechanisms (photo 1), which are equipped with diesel internal combustion engines with a capacity of more than 50 kW. Photo 1. Self-propelled harvester for harvesting currants. The undercarriage, berry shaking mechanisms, berry transport conveyors and impurities cleaning section fans are driven by hydraulic motors powered by hydraulic pumps. This allows you to smoothly adjust the operating parameters: speed, shaker vibration frequency and fan speed. The amount of space that the combine reaches the bottom of the bushes (i.e. working clearance) is controlled by a self-adjusting mechanism to adapt its width to the width of the bush. The harvesting accuracy (% of harvested berries) is more than 95%, such a harvester is operated by a team of three people. During the season, such a harvester can harvest berries from 30-50 hectares.

On small plantations up to 20 hectares, combines are used that harvest half a row in one pass (photo 2). Self-propelled machines of this type are not currently produced, due to the relatively high cost of the drive unit and chassis. Trailer versions of combines work with tractors of class 6 kN, the minimum speed in low gears of which should make it possible to obtain speed within the range of 0.8-1.5 km / h. The drive of working mechanisms can be obtained from the tractor's power take-off shaft and transmitted mechanically. Newer models, such as "Arek" or "Jarek" are hydraulically controlled and have a smooth adjustment of the working parameters of the mechanisms. The shaking mechanism consists of one or two finger shaking mechanisms, as a rule, both versions of these mechanisms are used. In practice, the hourly productivity of such combines is 0.1-0.2 ha. The main disadvantage is the need for a double pass through all the rows of the plantation and the fact that the bushes have to be divided twice. This can lead to increased mechanical damage associated with the penetration of pests into damaged tissues, which negatively affects the health of the plantation.

Photo 2. Trailed harvester for harvesting currants in half a row

Qualitative parameters of mechanical harvesting of currants, gooseberries and chokeberries are determined by properly selected operating parameters of the combine (Table 1). Incorrect harvester adjustments and inappropriate shaking parameters can lead to excessive damage to the bushes, which adversely affects the next year's yield. For chokeberry, it is necessary to use a larger amplitude of vibrations of the finger shaker than in the case of blackcurrant. Harvesting gooseberries requires a smaller amplitude of oscillation, a lower position of the lower fingers of the shaker and a lower landing of the mechanism for picking berries near the base of the bushes.

Table 1. Main parameters of machine harvesting of berries

(According to Z. Salamona, ISK)

An example of a modification of a currant harvester for chokeberry is the Aronic harvester. It comes with high-energy shakers to make it easier to separate the berries from the branches, and a collection system for bagging or palletizing. ISK continues to work on making changes to combine harvester systems to improve the quality of harvesting chokeberry and blackcurrant from low bushes of young plantings.

Raspberry

Labor costs for manual harvesting of raspberries with a yield of 10 tons / ha. about 2600 man-hours/ha. Without mechanization of harvesting, this type of cultivation, intended for processing, may not be profitable. The biggest hurdle to achieve high efficiency raspberry combine harvesting is the need for re-harvesting. This is due to the gradual maturation of the berry, which has a different strength of attachment to the receptacle (Table 2) and low strength and resistance to mechanical damage.

Table 2. Peel strength of colored berries of several varieties of raspberries

The need to harvest berries in several steps throughout the season is the reason for breaking off the laterals and young annual shoots on plants. Invasion of pathogenic micro-organisms in damaged areas reduces the health of the plantation and this is the reason for lower yields (by 30-40%) the following year. In order to avoid the loss of raspberries on the plantation, a trellis is needed, the use of which will allow the separation of fruit and annual shoots. Another way is to carry out the harvest every second year and mow the plantation immediately after harvest. Losses from reduced yields are compensated by lower costs for cutting shoots (in relation to manual pruning) and a decrease in the number of drugs to protect plants from diseases. One of the main problems in the mechanical harvesting of raspberries is the large width of the bushes at the base, which makes it difficult to pick up the berries after shaking. The use of sealing systems in harvesters cannot cope with the problem of falling berries between shoots, which causes part of the crop to fall to the ground.

The disadvantages mentioned above make the spread of machine harvesting of raspberries in Poland a rather slow process, although work on combine harvesters has been carried out since the mid-eighties of the last century. In ISK studies with the raspberry variety 'Kanby', the use of vertical shakers in a horizontal plane allowed up to 90% of fruit to be harvested at the proper stage of maturity. Significant losses from 11% to 14% of the collected mass were formed as a result of the fall of the berry to the ground. There were also many (up to 6% by weight) green fruits torn from shoots. The decrease in the frequency of vibrations and jumps of the fingers of the shaken mechanisms led to the fact that only 75% of the ripe berry was collected. Modern and undoubtedly more perfect model for harvesting raspberries is a trailed harvester with vertical fingers for shaking off with movement in a vertical plane (photo 3). This system is safer for shoots and berries falling onto the conveyor. Due to the need to remove unripe or damaged fruits, often a conveyor belt is installed on the back of the harvester, which is operated by up to 4 people (depending on the model) to manually sort the harvested fruits. Collection of data on the quality of manufactured raspberry harvesters suggest the ability to collect in one pass from 70% to more than 90% of ripe berries. Between 7% and 14% of fruits are lost as a result of falling, 3-12% are harvested as unripe fruits. Depending on the harvester, from 30% to 65% of young annual shoots are damaged during harvest.

Photo 3. Combine with a vertical direction of vibration shaker to collect raspberries

Hopes for the possibility of mechanical harvesting, without the risk of reducing the health of the plantation, allow raspberry varieties with fruiting on annual shoots. During the annual mowing of the entire plantation, damaged and infected shoots are removed. An important advantage in the cultivation of remontant raspberry varieties is the possibility of growing a plantation without a trellis, which reduces production costs, as well as the possibility of simplifying the mechanisms of combine harvesters. Shaking mechanisms, like those of currant harvesters, are installed at an angle (photo 4). The raspberry rows are divided into two parts, the front pick-ups are equipped with elements to facilitate the lifting and moving of the shoots. A longitudinal conveyor (photo 5) is installed in the rear unloading section, on which the collected berries will be sorted.

Photo 4. Harvester for picking raspberries of remontant varieties

Given the possibility of spreading mechanical harvesting of raspberries in Poland, it is necessary to compare the price of a combine harvester in the context of potential productivity. On a plantation with a row width of 4 m, the combine moves at a speed of less than 1 km/h. and can harvest approximately 0.2 ha. per hour, or per day (10-12 hours of work) to pick a berry from a plantation of just over two hectares. This means that the harvester, repeating the same row cleaning every 4 days, can collect fruits on an area of ​​8-10 hectares. If cleaning is done more frequently, this area will be reduced.

Photo 5. Conveyor for sorting berries on a combine

Blueberry

Several times, as they ripen, blueberries are also collected. Specialized harvesters for harvesting this berry are not produced in Poland, and the berry, due to the high market value, is harvested by hand. Shakers can be used to improve harvesting performance on small farms. Special screens are installed under the bushes. Berry after shaking off, before packaging, can be cleaned of impurities (leaves) using manual fans. Blueberry harvesters are produced mainly in the USA, companies offer self-propelled versions (photo 6), as well as trailed to 30 hp tractors.

The machines are equipped various types shakers, of which, in our opinion, the most effective model will be the model already shown with vertically vibrating fingers. The high price of the berry is offset by the cost of manual harvesting and the purchase of such a combine can only be justified on large 15-hectare plantations.

Photo 6. Self-propelled blueberry harvester

Using berry harvesters may be the only way to keep berry production profitable for the processing industry. Enough a large assortment combines for harvesting currants, gooseberries and chokeberries now solves the problem of mechanized harvesting of these berry crops. By adjusting the parameters, the harvester can be adapted to work on almost every plantation. Such an opportunity will be much worse in multi-stage harvesting of berries, such as raspberries. The risk of damage to shoots and subsequent infection of shoots with pests and diseases, which can significantly reduce yields, increases. Mechanical harvesting is possible on remontant raspberry plantations. Raspberry varieties are also being sought with weak attachment of the berry to the fruit and good resistance of the berry to mechanical damage, which will significantly improve the quality of the crop.

Material prepared:

Deputy President of the Association of Gardeners of Russia (APPYAPM), Leading Specialist of the APPYAPM for berry crops

Shchekotova L.A.
Candidate of Biological Sciences, Scientific Adviser of the APSYAM

Danilova T.A.
Specialist of APSYAP

Using material dr. Agnieszka Orzel

New raspberry varieties for industrial production

Industrial raspberry plantation

The increase in the production of raspberry planting material is associated with the breeding of varieties for industrial production - Polyana and Polka, bearing fruit on annual shoots. These raspberry varieties have gained popularity among growers. Polka belongs to typical remontant varieties with average shoot-forming ability. The main fruiting falls on the shoots of the current year - 25-30 flowers are formed on the fruit branches. Fruit ripening begins at the end of July or August, and usually lasts three months. The variety is characterized by medium vigor. The fruits are large or medium, slightly elongated, dense, shiny, almost not pubescent, rich in color, with a pronounced raspberry aroma, tasty, resistant to gray rot and spider mites.

Variety Polka (Polka) currently occupies a significant place in the world production of raspberries. The high quality of the fruit was noted by foreign producers and is grown as a dessert variety in many countries of the world. The percentage of healthy seedlings of the Polka variety was 90%.

Remontant raspberry varieties dominate

Industrial plantation of raspberry variety Polyana

Currently, industrial plantations are dominated by raspberry varieties that bear fruit from late summer to late autumn. After 2000, varieties bearing fruit on one-year-old wood began to appear. The increased commercial interest in the cultivation of remontant raspberry varieties on annual wood is due to economic and environmental factors. Fruiting on new one-year shoots eliminates the problem of the instability of shoots and flower buds to frost during harsh winters, which exists in raspberry varieties that bear fruit on two-year shoots. An important element here is an opportunity to increase the supply of fresh berries to the market. Raspberry varieties of a new type bear fruit until the first frost. In addition to Polyana and Polka, several varieties have appeared on the market that can also be used in industrial production- Polissya, Temptation, Morning dew.

Glade (Polana)- remontant standard variety with very marketable sweet and sour fruits, medium-sized berries (4-7 g), dense, glossy, rich bright red color with a pleasant taste and aroma, with abundant fruiting on annual shoots, the autumn fruiting zone is 0, 9 - 1.1 m, transportability is good. The shoots are distinguished by long (up to 60 cm), highly branched (3-5 orders of branching) fruit twigs, yield 1.5 - 2.0 kg per bush.

High-quality raspberries of the industrial remontant variety Polyana

The beginning of ripening is the third decade of July, fruiting is long. The variety is productive. Potential yield is realized before autumn frosts by 60 - 80%. It is advisable to obtain one crop with the removal of shoots before winter. bushes medium strength growth - grow up to 1.5 m.

Temptation (Pokusa)- a variety with annual fruiting on annual shoots. The ripening of raspberries begins from the second week of August and lasts until autumn frosts.

Industrial grade raspberry Temptation

The bush is medium. Shoot formation is good (some shoots reach 2 m in height). The berries are large and very large, slightly elongated, dessert flavor. Resistant to fungal diseases.

Morning dew (Poranna rosa)- late remontant variety. Fruit ripening begins in early September. It is very popular in industrial production due to the unique yellow-orange color of the fruit - as an addition to varieties with red berries.

Remontant raspberry variety - Morning dew

Small drupes are tightly linked, so the fruits are able to keep marketable condition long time. The shape of the fruit is round or slightly elongated. Taste qualities varieties are good, the taste of the berries is slightly sour. The yield of raspberries is about 3 kg per plant. The fruiting zone occupies about half the length of the shoot.

Polissya- one of the sweetest varieties of remontant raspberries, with a pleasant aroma and large berries, weighing up to 20 grams. Gardeners called this variety super raspberries.

Raspberry variety Polissya

The bush is powerful, does not lie down under the harvest, and ripe berries are distributed along the entire length of the shoot. Due to the high yield, each super raspberry bush produces more than one bucket of berries every year. Ripe fruits hang on the bush for up to two weeks without losing their appearance. The high content of biologically active substances in the berries indicates the suitability of the berries of this variety for processing.

Poemat (Poemat)- late remontant variety, the fruits ripen in the second half of August, similar to the Polyana variety. Berries are red, glossy. The variety is demanding on the presence of iron in the soil. With iron deficiency, young leaves noticeably lighten or turn yellow. The edges of the leaf blades turn brown.

Late remontant raspberry variety - Poemat

However, this element is not always available for plants, the best way to introduce iron is foliar fertilization with sulfate or chelate forms at a dose of 0.8-1.0 kg/ha of a.i.

Polonaise (Polonez)- late remontant variety, fruit ripening on annual shoots begins in August.

Raspberry variety Polonez

The use of this variety determines the high amount of anthocyanins in fruits, compared with other red-fruited raspberry varieties - 42.3 mg per 100 g of berries.

Sokolica (Sokolica)- the berries ripen from the end of June, like the Lashka variety. The fruits are large, have the shape of a truncated cone, light red, with a slight sheen, attractive appearance, very tasty. The variety is recommended for obtaining berries consumed fresh, as they have a dessert taste. Suitable for growing in tunnels.

Raspberry variety Sokolica (Sokolica)

Raspberry of traditional fruiting

The high quality of fruits is not only their appearance, but also their taste characteristics, which are determined by their chemical composition. In 2012, a new variety of black raspberries of early ripening, Litach, was included in the GR. The variety bears fruit on spiny two-year-old shoots. Berries of medium size - 4-5 g, are characterized by a high content of anthocyanins (743 mg / l), significantly exceeding this ingredient in blackberries containing 245 mg / l. The fruits are not dessert, but original taste characteristic of black raspberry varieties.

Early ripening raspberries - Litach

To date, the most important task is to increase the volume of planting material demanded on the market for varieties with a traditional type of fruiting and dessert fruit taste, such as Lashka, Benefis and Rajova.

Lashka (Laszka)- variety with early term ripening fruits of dessert taste, one of the most fruitful varieties of raspberries. The fruiting of the variety is long. The first harvest of berries falls on mid-June and continues until the end of July.

Raspberry variety Lashka

Two-year shoots give a lot of fruit twigs of medium length. Plant growth is strong - up to 3 m, shoots are rigid, with small thorns. The berries reach a very large size (over 4 cm) and have rectangular shape, transportability is excellent.

Benefis (Benefis)- medium-late variety, bears fruit on two-year-old shoots from mid-July. Shoots vigorous, rigid, curved at the top, thornless.

Variety of traditional fruiting period - Benefis

The berries are large and very large, cone-shaped, dark red with slight pubescence and dense pulp. The variety is winter-hardy, quite resistant to fungal diseases. Berries tolerate storage and transportation well, are suitable for freezing and canning. Frost resistance is low.

Radzhova (Radziejow)- an early raspberry variety with fruiting on two-year-old shoots, fruit ripening begins in the second half of June, 10 days earlier than that of the Lashka variety. The variety is productive and is valued for the dessert taste of the fruit. Suitable for growing in tunnels.

Early raspberry variety - Radziejow

Berries are characterized by high transportability. Fruit weighing more than 5 g, spherical, with a strong bloom, very tasty, suitable for mechanized harvesting and different types processing.

Tasks of raspberry breeding

Raspberry breeding is focused on obtaining varieties:

• traditional - fruiting on two-year-old shoots, with high quality fruits (dessert);
• remontant - with high-quality fruits of dessert taste, allowing you to get a double crop;
• suitable for mechanical harvesting.

1. New varieties that will provide high profitability, in addition to high-quality fruits, should have immunity to diseases and pests, as well as high adaptive potential.
2. Breeding for a new quality level of a variety is based on the selection of appropriate parental pairs that have limiting phenotypic traits. The fruits of selected hybrid seedlings are evaluated organoleptically. The stability of the variety is assessed after harvesting the fruit.
3. Based on the chemical analysis of raspberries, the best varieties are distinguished by the content of biologically active substances: acetylsalicylic acid, which has an antiseptic, antipyretic, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory effect, as well as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and anthocyanins.
4. Donors of low plant susceptibility to adverse factors are included in hybridization. external environment, such as drought or excess moisture, frost resistance. An important element of breeding for resistance is the selection of parent pairs as sources of resistance to certain pests and pathogens, such as viral diseases, fruit rot, etc.

The ratio of raspberry varieties for industrial plantation(conveyor delivery of berries)

Raspberry is a wonderful berry with amazing taste and medicinal properties. Both children and adults love to eat it, but about the treatment of colds raspberry jam probably everyone knows.

Growing raspberries as a business in our country is not yet highly developed, which means that high competition in this area should not be expected. On the contrary, in Europe, the cultivation of raspberries for subsequent sale is quite widespread, while in our country, so far, demand significantly exceeds supply.

We select a site

The quantity and quality of the harvest taken from raspberries is highly dependent on the area allotted for this crop. by the most the best place for growing raspberries there will be a flat or minimally sloping area that is well protected from the wind and receives enough sunlight.

When planting a prepared site with seedlings, you immediately need to allocate a place for growing raspberries - a mother liquor. There, subsequently, you will prepare your own seedlings for planting.

Overview of Raspberry Varieties Suitable for Business

There are two slightly different types of raspberries - remontant and summer.

Remontant raspberries bear fruit twice a year - in autumn and summer. A distinctive feature of such varieties is their resistance to pests and diseases, from which summer varieties often suffer. It practically does not require the use of chemical treatment, but it is demanding on top dressing. Taste qualities, as a rule, are inferior to summer varieties.

Summer varieties are distinguished by that wonderful raspberry flavor that we are all used to. Such varieties are also called biennial, since their development cycle is two years. They are more susceptible to pests and diseases, and can freeze in especially cold and snowless winters.

Repair varieties

Shelf

This selective Dutch variety has a pleasant smell and taste. They are great for fresh consumption, used for cooking jam and freezing.

Variety benefits:

• large-fruited (berry weight from 4 to 8 grams);
• bears fruit until frost;
• yield 6-10 tons per hectare;
• good transportability;
• grows without trellises;
• propagated by shoots.

Flaws:

• does not tolerate drought and heat;
• often suffers from root cancer.

Joan Gee

Outwardly, the variety is similar to the previous variety, but the scales of its berries are larger. It is noteworthy that this variety does not have thorns.

Advantages:

• tolerates drought well;
• berries break easily;
• yield from 16 to 19 tons per hectare;
• berries have average weight 6 grams.

Flaws:

• poor transportability;
• be sure to use trellises when growing.

Read also: Growing oyster mushrooms as a business: breeding technology

Himbo Top

A variety of Swiss selection, resistant to diseases, widely distributed in Europe.

Advantages:

• large-fruited (the largest berries among remontants);
• the fruits are dense, do not darken, have an excellent taste;
• high-yielding variety;
• high survival rate;
• disease resistance;
• lack of spikes;
• berries do not burn in the sun.

Flaws:

• poorly transported;
• it is difficult to distinguish ripe berries from unripe ones;
• if overripe is allowed, the berries crumble;
• may freeze in winter.

Zyugan

This variety can be called the most versatile and promising among remontant varieties for business.

Advantages:

• tolerates drought well;
• transportable;
• productive even in the first year after planting;
• large-fruitedness;
• grown without trellises.

There is only one drawback - large spikes on the shoots.

summer varieties

Lyashka

Variety of Polish selection, characterized by early fruiting.

Advantages:

• large and juicy berries;
• frost resistant;
• yield up to 20 tons per hectare;
• good transportability.

Flaws:

• susceptibility to fungal diseases;
• kidneys may freeze.

There are some peculiarities in the cultivation of this variety. When planting, you need to leave a distance between seedlings up to half a meter, and between rows from two meters. In the spring, a quarter of the shoot should be cut.

Octavia

It is still quite uncommon in our country, but it is quite promising for the raspberry growing business.

Advantages:

• large and bright berries;
• excellent taste;
• yield up to 25 tons per hectare;
• good transportability;
• frost resistance;
• resistance to fungus;
• fruits do not fall off.

The disadvantages can, perhaps, include only a poor ability to reproduce.

Soil preparation for seedlings

Proper soil preparation before planting seedlings will bring future profitability to your business. The best predecessors for raspberries, rapeseed, mustard and cabbage are considered.

Before planting, the soil must be cleared of pests and weeds. For raspberries, light soils are excellent, with a high content of sand, the acidity should be in the range of 5.8–6.2 pH. Soil acidity should be measured and brought in accordance with the necessary indicators at least 1 year before planting.

Landing nuances

Malinnik

For planting, it is better to use large areas, this will make it possible to determine the best variety for specific site conditions and climate. To achieve this must be planted on small areas different varieties and see which will give the best harvest.

In order for the raspberry business to be successful, it is necessary not only to choose the right site and variety, but also to plant the seedlings correctly. Before planting seedlings, you need to look at the presence of pea-like thickenings on the roots of plants. If they are present, the seedlings are subjected to disinfection, and the thickenings are cut off and burned. Fertilize raspberries with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Raspberry cultivation in a greenhouse

The most suitable types of raspberries for growing in greenhouse conditions are precisely remontant varieties that are prone to freezing in winter. The greenhouse will help to avoid these shortcomings.

If you have the opportunity to equip the greenhouse with heating, which will allow you to create the desired temperature regime, then you can get crops not only from remontant varieties, but also from summer varieties of raspberries. In winter, the cost of raspberries just rolls over and this will help increase the profitability of your business.

I went to the idea of ​​raspberry commerce, as I jokingly call a business that has become an income and a hobby, for a long time - about 5 years. It was a long way, full of trial and error. Today, 15 acres are allocated for raspberries. This is not much, in comparison with the farms that allocate 15 hectares for sweet berries. I want to tell the reader about growing raspberries as a business, to introduce the farmer, the so-called. small scale production.

What you should pay attention to, what pitfalls await beginners - I will reveal important aspects of agricultural technology, including collection, transportation and storage.

Growing raspberries as a business: breakpoint

Consider the main points, reference points of the case.
In the first year, the main costs and benchmarks:

• Variety selection;
• Calculation of the amount of planting material (given below);
• Place of purchase;
• Soil processing and filling;
• Material for supporting structures, garters (wooden or concrete poles, fittings, wire, etc.);
• Fertilizers and means of protection (prevention).

Second year:

• drip irrigation, mulch;
• Fertilizers and means of protection;
• Container;
• Payment of workers - if your business is more than 1 hundred square meters and there are only two workers, you will need assistants.
• Cooling units (if possible, if necessary).
• Fuels and lubricants (we calculate the cost of transportation).

More detailed plan with cost calculations I will give in the next article, and now I will tell you in detail about the main points of the raspberry business.

Assortment decides everything: choose the best

Variety selection is half the battle. The most important half. There are three options for the development of events: breeding summer (early) varieties, growing remontant raspberries for the autumn harvest, and a combined option - we start two types of varieties: let there be a conveyor.

I will say right away: in the first year, about 70% of your budget allocated for the raspberry business will go to the purchase of planting material - given that prices in different regions different, and jumping from day to day, I quote as a percentage.

Important: do not chase the large size of the berries. Firstly, a large berry with a large hole is quickly crushed even in small containers - we will continue talking about it below. Secondly, the large size often scares away city dwellers who are accustomed to little things from the garden of their parents or grandmother, or to imported fruits stuffed with chemicals. And most importantly, many large-fruited ones have very low frost resistance.

Friendly fruiting is another criterion for choosing a variety. Stretched, especially for the autumn collection - a big minus. Whether it's a matter of gathering every other day, the last, by the end of the next wave - in 2-3 days, or every day for a little, in the literal and figurative sense of the word.

You should not chase after imported novelties: for the most part they require intensive care for a good return, many are not zoned for the climate of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus. You should not nod towards Poland - the climate in Eastern Europe is different, you cannot compare the Urals or the Poltava region. In Eastern Europe, and in particular in Poland, raspberries are grown without shelter, in England - mainly in closed ground, in greenhouses - we, due to climatic conditions and the lower cost of a product grown in open ground, will not be equal to them. Both in Russia and Ukraine there are worthy varieties. Although, to be honest, I plant half of my plot with Polish, and only half with Russian 🙂

Early and remontant - that is the question

Contrary to popular belief, I came to the conclusion: for me personally, growing early varieties of raspberries for sale brings the greatest profit, but remontant varieties are more profitable due to the difference between the cost of seedlings and the price of products. Gross yield of remontants grown for one autumn harvest generally exceeds that of early crops.

Repairing is less labor-intensive: it is mowed down for the winter, there is no need to mess with last year's shoots, covering in case of a harsh winter, attacks are not threatened. It is less affected by diseases and pests: the main phases of development of the larvae of most pests, fungal spores fall on the initial stages of the growing season - that's all the misfortunes and attack the early one, and the remontant gets off with a slight fright. Accordingly, less protection costs are most of costs, a large percentage of the cost.

But until now, I prefer the early, summer one - it sells out faster, the price is higher. I will explain why for small-scale production, despite the obvious advantages of remontants, it is worth, in my opinion, to focus mostly on early varieties, and only partially on rhemes.

Yes, for large farms - for the most part, it is worth focusing on remontant varieties, the profitability of which is higher and the cost of 1 kg of berries is lower.

It's not just a matter of profit, the cost of growing raspberries and labor intensity - it's a matter of marketing. A small farmer grows mainly for the fresh market, and only a small part is sold in bulk for processing - juices, drying, etc.

The fresh market for large farms is not the main sales area, most of it is for marketing for processing than for sale: while you deliver it to supermarkets and shops, points on the market, we estimate the cost of transportation, look at what is left during storage and draw conclusions .

And they cannot change places: for example, for a small farm, transportation, storage is often impossible or expensive, for a large industrialist it is easier and often more profitable to put the bulk of it into processing.

Residents of regions with cold winter and late spring. On the one hand, growing for one autumn harvest, cutting out shoots under the root after harvest, we are moving away from the need for shelter in winter. But how often the harvest does not have time to ripen in the cold autumn! To do this, we either shelter, organize makeshift sheds, or film tunnels. Or we look towards the early ones, with a short growing season. And they have their own quirks: the threat of early frost.

She chose the Polish fruit variety Lyachka, Glen Ample, Glen Fine, Russian Gusar - by the way, many varieties of Kazakov are good.
Among the repairers, Polan and Polk, Octavia, Tulamin and the good old News Kuzmin are good for agribusiness.

I said goodbye to Tarusa without much regret, with bitterness - to Inaccessible.

Transportability, easy separation - when choosing a variety, we pay attention first of all after the yield. With a soft, overly juicy berry that is good for gardening, you won't get far in industrial cultivation. Having tried many varieties, I settled on the ones listed above: a dense, fleshy berry does not flow, does not wrinkle, does not crumble when ripe, and does not crumble when harvested.

Requirements for seedlings

With a well-developed, not dried up root system (root length of at least 3 cm), grown in nurseries - pure material in price, but worth it: when planting seedlings infected with a nematode, I burned myself for an impressive amount.

The cut of the stem is green, the diameter of the shoot is 0.7 mm - 1 cm.

As experience has shown, seedlings with a closed root system are needed - they take root better - the survival rate is up to 100%, they will survive the winter without attacks autumn planting. For a good survival rate of seedlings with an open root system, 2 factors are important: planting time - a dormant period, and the absence of drying out. In order to be better accepted, I soak before planting in a solution of potassium-phosphorus fertilizer - I like Rostconcentrate.

Each region has its own

It is worth choosing varieties that are zoned for your region. It is worth paying attention to winter hardiness, frost resistance, reaction to heat and drought.

Not worth it: the lack of a critical look at the advertising of foreign varieties can play a cruel joke. In general, salespeople tend to embellish strengths and are reluctant to share knowledge of weaknesses. So, many European large-fruited varieties positioned for industrial cultivation are not frost-resistant, and in Central Russia, the Moscow region, the Urals, they require winter shelter. In addition, expensive overseas seedlings are no better than domestic ones, zoned for a certain region, they require intensive agricultural technology, without which the harvest is tears.

But in general, many foreign varieties show the declared originator high yield only with very high level agricultural techniques: necessarily a high amount of fertilizer, a drop, shading and other amenities. No, and local varieties need all this, but foreign varieties are more demanding in many cases. This is especially true of climatic conditions - a variety zoned for Western Europe or the USA will behave completely differently in central Russia and Ukraine.

A pig in a poke can be very expensive

Choose the place of purchase responsibly. Acquiring from the hands of a stranger in the market supposedly foreign planting material By neglecting experimental stations, nurseries, and specialty stores, we are risking a lot - risking our entire business.

Plantation bookmark

The debate about the rationality of autumn and spring planting is as old as the world. I will say one thing: I plant in the fall - this time is most suitable for my region.

I have up to 40 bushes per 1 hundred square meters, larger industrial farmers give different numbers - up to 70,000 bushes per hectare.

I advise beginners to start small. Today, I have 5 acres allocated for raspberries - my small-scale production in the literal and figurative sense suits me, perhaps I will expand it someday.

Important: in order to prevent infection or in case of purchasing infected planting material, seedlings should be treated in a fungicide solution, as well as against pests - nematodes, etc. with drugs like Oktara, etc.

At the beginning of her raspberry business, she neglected the advice: out of 150 bushes, by the way, the survival rate was 90%, a dozen survived - the rest were killed by an insidious nematode. Either the material was contaminated, at least it was bought from a worthy supplier, or, most likely, it was brought along with fresh manure during soil preparation. This is another important point: use humus - there is less guarantee of contamination of the soil with weeds and pest larvae.

Arrange rows facing north. We plant with a trench method. Manure and NPK mineral complex are preliminarily introduced into the trenches. The soil must be very well moistened. It is important to prepare the land before planting, apply organic matter (change per 1 m2 of trench 10-15 kg) and NPK mineral groups during planting - for detailed cultivation and top dressing, norms - in detail in other sections.

Planting distance 70 cm - 1.2 m between plants, 2.5-2.7 m between rows - industrial option. Long distances are used for planting in the garden. Classic planting density - 3-4 seedlings per 1 running meter. For garden plots, this would be thickening, but for large plantations, it is sparse. More often, the planting density is up to 15-20 pieces. shoots per linear meter, or up to 10-20 thousand per hectare - this is what the print media say, middle-class farmers did not advise us on such experiments - they decided on that to this day.

I plant it to the depth of the root collar, cut off the stem after planting up to 25 cm. When the new replacement shoot reaches the same height, you can cut it out.

We grow raspberries for business: tasks - abstract

• At the end of March, I tie the shoots to supports, cut off the tops of early varieties. At the beginning of May I conduct an inspection: rationing of shoots - I usually leave 6-7 pieces. In the first year, I cut off the inflorescences on summer varieties, the ovary - let the root system develop.
• In autumn, after harvesting, I carry out standard work: pruning, rationing. And in the spring I also normalize. Rationing, pruning - we do not allow thickening, overloading and underloading of the bush. On average, I leave 7-8 shoots per bush. The selected varieties are sufficiently branched, give a lot of fruit twigs. Excessive load leads to grinding, a drop in product quality.
• Important: you can not save on mulch. Many industrialists grow on film or agrofibre - for me it is expensive, not profitable. But to mulch with compost, peat, straw - just right. Often shavings are used - not sawdust, husks, seeds and other peasant tricks.
• I cut out the remontant in the fall - to get a second harvest.
• When I started, I had no idea how important mulching was. The earth does not dry out in the heat, there are no cracks and impudent weeds. I mulch with organic matter, peat, straw.
• It is equally important to organize supports. In order not to talk about their uselessness for a particular variety, they are necessary for the industrial cultivation of raspberries. The organization of supports is a separate issue, masculine, one might say. Supports, metal wire, nylon twine are needed, durable, but not damaging plant tissues. The simplest 2 wires are at the level of 50-70 cm and 150 cm, and preferably 3 - the lower one at a height of up to 60 cm, the upper one - at arm's length (for a tall culture).
• Organization drip irrigation- do not consider the expense item superfluous. It is difficult to imagine how to manually water more than 1 acre - this will take a whole day. Watering will be dosed, sufficient, there will be no overspending of water, and most importantly, at the very root. In addition, we add fertilizers and protective equipment to the fertigation system.
• In the first year, for shading, I plant corn around the perimeter, in one year, on the advice, I planted it in the aisles, where it turned out to be superfluous. With the active sun, a shading net has become a real find. I decided for myself: I’d rather water by hand, refuse a drop - a joke, but never from a grid.

As for herbicides, I don't use them. Mulching, weeding - rows and aisles are already clean. It is easier not to use fresh manure, vegetable mulch with changes of weeds, than to deal with them later.

Insecticides - as needed. I came to the conclusion: it is better to immediately remove plants affected by gall midge and other sucking pests from the field than to treat them. As a preventive measure, it is possible and necessary to use modern drugs, including those with the prefix phyto - but I will not arrange an advertising campaign, without specifics - there are plenty of them on the market.

top dressing

The care of industrial plantings is more intensive: with a reduction in the feeding area, we increase the amount of top dressing. I wrote about fertilizer in detail in this article - with all the calculations, application rates and features. It is worth noting that the use of organic matter - manure, in particular, when growing raspberries for sale - we are talking about business, is not profitable. It is more rational to use mineral fertilizers. No, not those that are packaged in beautiful packages, but purchased in bulk. A novice gardener will have to distinguish between the names Carbamide and ammonium nitrate, nitroammophoska and ammophoska - much remains to be done - as I said, this is a separate topic.

About queen cells

For large-scale production, you need your own planting material - by the way, another source of income. At small - one more article of economy. I don’t start a mother liquor: I reduce labor costs, both jokingly and seriously, it’s easier for us to buy ready-made ones in a proven place. Time to breed a pure culture, to cut off the ovary, to select seedlings - there are only three of us, and there is no end to the work.

Three moments: container volume, cooling, transportation.

They say smart people learn from other people's mistakes, fools learn from their own, idiots don't learn at all. I understood this when in the first year, after 3-4 hours, the boxes literally dripped with juice - this is a terrible sight, I tell you. We learned - on our own.

Oddly enough, but the collection of raspberries and storage is one of the most important moments. You need to collect 2 days before full maturity - the line between overripe and ripe is very thin.

It is better to collect in the morning, from 4-5 o'clock to 10-11, but only if there is no dew. A wet berry will instantly release juice, wrinkle.

Before harvesting, it is better not to water for 2-3 days - the density of the fruit decreases, sugar content. It is impossible not to water, so we simply reduce the volume.

We collect the whole family - three of us, neighbors help - not for free, of course. Labor costs are another item of expenditure.

Once I read that the berries need to be touched only once - when picking. I liked the phrase. Raspberries cannot be poured after harvest, so they need to be collected in small containers, loading with a volume of no more than 250-300 g. With a larger volume, the berry creates pressure inside the container not only from above, but also from all sides, it is crushed during transportation. That is why I prefer with a medium-sized berry - the hole is small, it is less crushed.

Tara

Plastic blisters, veneer baskets (more expensive option). Do not save on packaging: you can lose everything. I prefer small

The MGS packaging is in fashion - an oxygen-free gas environment that does not allow spoilage, special preparations- similar ones are used by growers for long-term storage of products. I don’t think about such things yet, but when expanding, I will have to think thoroughly.

Sales

The first thing I thought about it was when planning a raspberry business - this is the stove from which it is worth dancing. You can grow a lot, but to realize how much is a question, a paramount question. If you have a fixed cooling chamber with circulation (t 4 C) or a refrigerated minibus - wonderful. No - hope, as in my case, is on the speed of sale. Firstly, this is a fresh market.

One will not manage - you need to look for a seller, more precisely, two or three. Secondly, supermarkets - if there are nearby, ready to accept - wonderful. Thirdly - wholesalers, with their cameras, who come and pick up products. But this option is not particularly profitable - the price is low. The fourth option - I rent for processing: juices and drying. The quality of the berry does not matter, they can accept crushed. The main thing is volume - so that transportation does not turn out to be too expensive.

And in conclusion: a raspberry business is profitable. You should not expect 100% profit in the first year of fruiting - these are populist fairy tales. If you read that a 70% payback is also a fairy tale: how can you guess what you spent on and how much you paid? Prices for planting material, mulch, protection products, fertilizers, etc. are different everywhere, as well as for products. And it does not happen year after year, and people are different - the most important factor is the human factor.

I intend not to give figures - an approximate calculation of the cost of 1 kg in the next article of the cycle, I just pay attention to the main, most important points, without knowing which you can fail at the very beginning and be disappointed in business. Good luck and a bountiful harvest!

• Which variety to choose
• Berry picking is not easy
• Sale of seedlings
• Useful video on the topic
• How much can you earn
• Which equipment to choose
• Taxation system
• Permissions to open
• • • • Similar business ideas:

In recent years, more and more novice farmers have been interested in the raspberry growing business. The berry, as it turns out, is not only tasty, but can also serve as a good source of income for a small family farm.

Pros of a raspberry business

1. High productivity in compliance with the technology. Some successful farmers manage to get in a season, without exaggeration, up to 28 tons per hectare.
2. The price of raspberries on the market starts from 200 rubles, and even higher in large cities. Even if you sell wholesale to resellers 2 times cheaper, the “exhaust” is not small. More than 2 million rubles can be earned from one hectare. (not profit, but revenue).
3. A good harvest can be obtained already in the second year after planting, if proper care is taken.
4. Many options for profiting from a raspberry plantation. You can not only sell fresh berries, but also process raspberries for jam or medicinal raw materials, as well as sell seedlings. The price for one seedling is no less than 80 - 100 rubles.

Some large farms are engaged in drying raspberries and then selling dried fruits for medical purposes (for the production of syrups, for example).

With all its advantages, the raspberry business is far from being a simple activity. Otherwise, every second farmer would deal with raspberries. We will talk about the pitfalls of this activity below.

Features of growing raspberries

The first rule of effective raspberry cultivation is to choose light areas for planting. Raspberries love the sun and practically do not bear fruit in the shade. You should also pay attention to the acidity of the soil - this indicator should be between 5.5 - 6 ph. Wetlands are also excluded. Groundwater must pass below 1.5 m. The planting density of individual varieties and frigo seedlings can be 40,000 units. per hectare. It is not recommended to thicken the plants - it is better to leave 5-6 shoots each, which will contribute to better light and ventilation of the bush. The device of the trellis allows you to save a significant part of the crop, since the plant often lies on the ground under the weight of its own fruits. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizers are used to grow raspberries. Plants are fed with azofoska or kemira (1 liter of solution per bush). To accelerate the growth and development of plants, potassium growth concentrate is used. To protect against weeds, the surface of the soil under the raspberries is covered with straw.

The highest price for raspberries is in June. Only 200 grams of berries can be sold at this time for 150 - 200 rubles.

The plant does not tolerate drought, therefore, in especially arid places, it is necessary to solve the issue of watering. If this is neglected, then the berry will turn out small and dry. Some successful farms use a drip irrigation system in this regard. If the places opposite are famous for precipitation, then it makes sense to use the so-called canopies, because excess moisture has a bad effect on raspberries - the berry begins to turn sour. Under a canopy, the plants will be protected not only from heavy rainfall, but also from direct sunlight (due to which the berry loses its juiciness).

How many plants to plant

The economy looks like this. From one bush, on average, 2 kg of raspberries are obtained. That is, to get 10 tons of raspberries per season, you need a plot with 5,000 plants or more. If a seedling costs an average of 80 rubles, only 400 thousand rubles can be spent on planting material. That is why novice farmers should start with small raspberries and, as they gain experience, engage in independent seedlings.

Which variety to choose

Experienced farmers will say that half the success in building depends on the right choice of variety. profitable business on raspberries. So, just by choosing the right variety, you can increase the yield by 1.5 - 2 times. Today there are many good varieties of both Russian and Ukrainian selection. The most popular varieties that are mentioned in every forum are: Polka, Brusvyana, Sputnitsa, Patricia, Hussar, Maker, Willamette, Tulamen. When choosing remontant varieties that bear fruit continuously (before frost), you need to be prudent. Such raspberries require special care and not everyone manages to get the long-awaited harvest. In addition, most varieties begin to bear fruit only by the beginning of August (in the middle zone of the Russian Federation), when the price of a berry is the lowest. This happens because repair varieties are subject to cutting at the root. During the summer, the plant has time to grow and produce a crop on a new shoot. In other words remontant raspberry bears fruit on annual shoots. Meanwhile, ordinary varieties of raspberries are not cut, and they bring berries in June.

Berry picking is not easy

Harvesting is one of the most complex processes in the raspberry business. The collection of raspberries for fresh sale is carried out exclusively by hand. The berry is small, which makes the process very protracted. Plus, cleaning occurs most often in extreme heat. We have to involve a large number of labor force, which seriously increases the cost of the crop. The technique for picking berries is used only in case of processing. It is worth saying that only large farms can afford to buy a machine for harvesting raspberries.

How much can you earn from the "raspberry"

The average price of raspberries in regional towns is 200 rubles / kg (2015 - 2016). Supermarkets are about 20% more expensive. In Moscow and a number of other large cities, you can find a price tag of 400 rubles / kg or more. A cursory calculation shows that the sale of 10 tons of berries can bring from 2 million rubles. revenue. Is it really so "sweet"? It is worth noting that focusing solely on retail sales is not correct. If the farm is small (10 - 50 acres), then the harvest can still be sold somehow on your own, for example the classic way from the car "by the side of the road." With large crops, things are much more difficult. Raspberries are an extremely non-transportable berry. Fresh, it is in demand only on the first day after harvest. Can you imagine what difficulties a farmer who collects hundreds of kilograms of berries every day can expect? To sell large volumes, it is necessary to install dozens of retail outlets throughout the city, which is practically impossible to do. Therefore, when planning a business in raspberries, the first thing to do is to work out distribution channels for berries, which should mainly be wholesale. Ideally, the business should be built on the principle: morning picking and immediate sale of berries in bulk to a dealer or processor. But here it is worth noting that wholesale berries will cost 1.5 - 2 times cheaper. The income seems to be less, but on the other hand, the farmer saves himself from many problems that are inherent in retail. Of the main fixed costs farms for growing raspberries, it is worth allocating labor costs (especially during the harvest period), irrigation, fertilizer and packaging costs. By the way, the best packaging for the harvested crop is considered to be 2 kg plastic containers for retail, and 10-20 kg polymer boxes for wholesale.

Sale of seedlings

A separate area of ​​\u200b\u200bearning on raspberries can be the sale of seedlings. good varieties actively bought up by other farms, as well as summer residents and amateur gardeners. Cuttings are obtained by cutting off shoots from adult plants. The cut is carried out with a knife or secateurs, just a couple of centimeters below the soil level. Growing cuttings is best done in glass or film greenhouses with fogging installations. For the simultaneous cultivation of 1000 seedlings, it is necessary to construct a cutting plant with a size of only 2x5 meters. The wholesale price of raspberry seedlings averages 80 - 100 rubles. The sale of 1,000 seedlings can bring an additional 80-100 thousand rubles to the farm.

Useful video on the topic

Modern farm for growing raspberries://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIfFnyKbU7o "Raspberry Kingdom" farming in the Ryazan region://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZIIKDDFjg

Step by step plan to start a business

1. Business registration.
2. Purchase or lease of land.
3. Purchase of seedlings, fertilizers and plant protection products.
4. Raspberry bookmark. Planting seedlings.
5. Plant care: weed control, watering, fertilizing.
6. Hiring workers for the harvest.
7. Product sales market. You can start looking for potential wholesale buyers in advance.

How much can you earn

The initial investment depends on the area of ​​​​the site and the variety of seedlings purchased. How more area and the more expensive the seedlings, the more funds need to be made at the initial stage. Purchase of seedlings from 150 to 300 rubles. There are also more expensive, depending on the variety. The profitability of a business is connected not only with demand, the established price, but also with climatic conditions, sales markets. Since it is fashionable to sell raspberries to both private traders and processing organizations, retail chains.

Which equipment to choose

To grow raspberries, you do not need any additional equipment, you need garden tools: a shovel, rakes, buckets, watering systems and hoses. Berry picking is done by hand. There are harvesters, but they are suitable only for berries that are going for processing.

Which OKVED to indicate for the purpose of registration

OKVED 01.13.21 - cultivation of fruit and berry crops. What documents are needed to open? It is necessary to register a business entity: it can be individual entrepreneur or collective farming. Prepared documents must be submitted to state authorities or to multifunctional centers public services (MFC).

Taxation system

This business relates to the production of agricultural products, therefore, a taxation system is applied for agricultural producers, the so-called single agricultural tax. (ESHN). The main condition of this tax is that the proceeds from the sale of these products is at least 70% of the total proceeds, and also that the enterprise must be engaged in the production of agricultural products, and not its sale.

Permissions to open

It is necessary to register an enterprise with state authorities, register with the tax office as an agricultural producer, purchase land or conclude a lease agreement.

Raspberry cultivation technology

1. Before planting seedlings, it is necessary to inspect the roots. If there are thickenings, this indicates a disease, they must be cut off.
2. Raspberries are planted in early spring or late autumn. The distance between rows is 1.5 m, between plants 0.5 m. The plant is planted at a depth of 10 cm. After planting, the plants must be watered, the soil should be mulched, and the shoots cut off above the ground. If this variety needs trellises, then every 5 meters stakes are driven in, 1.5-1.8 m high. Next year, a wire will be stretched to them and raspberries will be tied up.
3. If the raspberry is summer, it will bring a harvest in the second year. In the first year, they are engaged in thinning and weed control, watering.
4. In the second year, fertilizers are applied to the ground and irrigated. Raspberries love sunny areas and abundant watering.