Startup costs

Startup costs are moderate. Seed or transplants, careful bed prep, irrigation, and row cover in some systems may be needed. Wash-pack is important because heads need clean trimming and cooling. Protected culture can help with fall and winter production in colder regions.

Ongoing costs

Ongoing costs include transplanting, weed control, fertility management, harvest, trimming, grading, and packing. Labor can be moderate to high because marketability depends on clean, dense heads with careful outer leaf removal. Cold storage handling is often part of the system.

Yield & how it sells

Radicchio is sold by head or weight. Productivity per bed can be good when heads size evenly, and it often carries stronger unit value than common greens. Quality is highly dependent on uniformity, color, and trim.

What makes it profitable

Radicchio can be a moderate to higher-margin specialty crop when sold into markets that understand it. It performs best with restaurants, CSA shares, winter markets, and local retail with good produce merchandising. In general farmers markets, it may need customer education to move well.

Financial risks

Risks include bolting, poor heading under stress, disease in wet conditions, cold damage in some systems, and slower turnover where buyers are unfamiliar with bitter greens. Trim loss can be significant. If harvested overmature, heads can become less attractive.

Tips to improve returns

Target buyers who already use chicories, rather than assuming broad walk-up demand. Schedule production for cooler periods when quality and color are typically stronger. Work with your local Cooperative Extension and Small Business Development Center to model trim loss, market channel fit, and realistic head counts per bed.

General planning information, not financial or investment advice, and not a guarantee of profit. For real budgets, work with your Cooperative Extension office and local Small Business Development Center. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.