Is grape growing profitable in Minnesota?
Yes. The demand for grapes in our area is quite high and should remain that way for the foreseeable future. As a result, the price of grapes is also higher in our area than in most of the country, making grape growing a potentially profitable venture. The new varieties from the U of M are dependably hardy in southern Minnesota when well grown on good sites. However, it is important to remember that growing grapes is quite labor intensive and requires a significant commitment of time and money on the part of growers. There’s also a lot to learn about pruning, training, trellising, pest control, bird control, etc. It’s generally a good practice for new growers to start small and plant no more than an acre or two the first year.
