0
0
Starting a business that offers food products is not difficult. Choose the type of food you intend to sell and how you will do it. A number of food-based business choices include catering, delivery services, restaurant delivery and grocery goods sold in stores or through online stores. You may only specialize in certain niche markets, like catering weddings, delivery services for single women or fresh baked products sold primarily through small local stores or coffee shops. Your business’s unique selling proposition (USP) should center on a unique selling point (USP) that makes your food products different from those of your competitors.
Starting a food business is ideal for anyone with an interest in food science and a desire to earn a comfortable living in an exciting field. The food industry is among the world’s most profitable markets with annual sales estimated at over US$ 64 billion. Growth in the food industry is expected at a steady pace due to population growth and the need to feed the increasing number of people worldwide. The agricultural industry is one of the world’s largest suppliers of food products. Agriculture’s growth and contribution to the global food market make it one of the cornerstones of any successful enterprise.
In the United States, the food industry contributes to the United States economy through direct employment and revenue. The food industry employs over 14 million Americans, directly and indirectly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food processing involves the design, manufacture and sale of food products, including food for ingestion, food storage, and food distribution. Some sectors of the food industry to contribute more to the national economy than others, with agriculture being the main driver of the U.S. food system.
In order to understand how your business can benefit from agriculture, you need to have a basic understanding of how food is grown, processed and marketed. Agriculture, in the broadest sense, involves the cultivation of plants and animals for food, the creation of farm products for consumption and industry; and the transportation, packaging, processing, and retailing of these foods. Agriculture plays an important role in building the U.S. food supply and supporting rural communities. Agriculture also contributes to the global food supply by helping to feed the world’s population.
Today’s food market is highly concentrated and competitive. Because of this, many farmers and ranchers are having difficulties keeping costs down and delivering quality products to consumers. Many businesses rely on the food industry to deliver their goods to customers. With the volume of products to be delivered increasing over time, the food industry is creating and developing new processes and infrastructure to handle the increased load. In response to this new demand, many organizations within the food system are looking to contract with experienced agricultural consultants to help them grow, process and market their products.
One way that organizations in the food system can benefit from an agricultural consultant is through specialization. Agriculture and food processing requires several specific specializations, such as planting and food development, organic and inorganic production, and the handling of farm product pricing and promotion. A food consultant can help a business in these areas develop their products and make them available to consumers and retailers. By focusing on one or two of these specializations, an organization can realize greater profit margins and increase its market share. This would allow the business to better serve the needs of customers and become a dominant player in the food industry.
