9 Most Profitable Fruit Trees to Grow

What fruit trees should I plant? What are the most profitable fruit trees to grow?

There are hundreds of varieties of fruit trees and plants, each with its own unique characteristics. Some are better suited for commercial production, while others are good for home gardens.

Fruit trees are grown commercially to produce fresh or dried fruits. They are also planted in parks and public spaces to provide shade and shelter. The most common types include apples, peaches, oranges, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries.

But which fruits are the most profitable?

The 9 most profitable fruit trees to grow in order of profitability are:

1. Apples
2. Sugar Apples
3. Peaches
4. Strawberries
5. Blueberries
6. Longan
7. Lychee
8. Dragon Fruit
9. Jackfruit

The best fruit trees and shrubs that are profitable will heavily depend on the amount of space you have available, how much money you want to spend, your time frame, and the climate of where you are growing the fruits. 

The trees you plant should match the climate and conditions of your location, so be sure to look into the care and maintenance that trees require to grow delicious fresh fruit successfully.

Fruit Tree Production and Sell Prices

Prices will vary depending on where you sell the fruits, the season, who you’re selling to, wholesale vs. retail, how much you’re selling at one time, and many other factors. 

These are the general guidelines and data that I’ve accumulated for:

• Most profitable fruits.
• How long the fruit trees and shrubs will take to start producing fruit.
• Sell price ranges per pound.
• Estimated volume that fruit trees or plants can produce.

1. Apple Trees and Profits

Apples are easy to grow. They are grown in all 50 States of the United States. Successful production can occur by selecting the right apple varietal and proper planting site selection (i.e., not too far away from other apples).

Apple trees require a pollinator because they are not self-fertile. Some popular apple varieties for eating fresh or adding to cooking recipes are Gala, Empire, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Rome, and Fuji. The Red Delicious is the most grown and sold apple variety in the country.

Apple growers produce more than 200 million cartons of apples every year. The average size of apple orchards in the U.S. is about 50 acres. Apples are in high demand and are the second most valuable fruit after oranges.

Planting an apple seed in the hope of growing a full-grown apple tree is a test of patience. It usually takes about eight years for a tree to grow into a fully mature apple tree.

Apple trees will start producing fruit in 4 years, but once it fully matures, one tree can produce up to 500 pounds of apples.

You will need both patience and some space to grow an apple orchard. One apple tree needs about 30-35 feet around it.

Like any fresh produce, the prices you can get for a pound of apples vary greatly depending on who you’re selling them to and where.

Grocery stores usually buy apples at wholesale prices. For example, they might buy them from farmers for between $0.28 and $0.75 per pound. However, if you decide to take them to a local farmers market instead of selling them to a grocery store, you could possibly make anywhere from $3 to $5.

Apple trees are relatively easy to grow and profit off, but you will need to ensure that you have enough space and time to dedicate towards growing them.

• Related Article: Is an Apple a Fruit or Vegetable?

2. Sugar Apple Trees and Profits

Sugar apples are tropical fruits that originate from Southeast Asia. These delicious fruits are usually only found in local flea markets or fruit shops. Take into consideration what kind of growing conditions each tree requires.

Because they’re difficult to find, they can run more expensive. They’re often sold for $7-$8 per pound.

Sugar apples are harvested from mid-summer through the fall, with flowers blooming from early to late spring. 

3. Peach Trees and Profits

Peaches are delicious fruits that are very popular among people. They are available year round, and they are easy to grow. 

Georgia, California, and South Carolina produce most of the nation’s peaches. Home growers should plant bud-hardy varieties such as Garnet Beauty, Harken, Reliance, Harmony and Madison. They’re able to be grown in regions ranging up to USDA Zone 6. 

Peach trees should be planted in areas with mild winters. They should also be protected by netting or other barriers to protect them from insects and birds that can pass on diseases. 

Peach trees will produce slightly more income per acre than apple trees because they require less space and mature faster. But, each tree will produce less fruit when compared to apple trees. That can be up for by sooner harvests and more trees.

Peach trees only need about 15-20 feet around them, and they start producing fruit in only two to three years. They will yield 120-150 lbs of peaches per tree.

Peaches can be sold for between $2-$6 a pound depending on where you’re selling them. Selling in smaller fruit markets will offer you the highest profits.

4. Strawberry Plants and Profits

The strawberry is one of the easiest fruits to grow from seed. Strawberry bushes doesn’t require any special care, and it grows well in containers. They need far less space and for every 1 peach tree, you can grow about 10 strawberry bushes.

Strawberries will start producing fruit in 1 year and will sell for $2-6 per pound. You can sell about 240 pounds worth of strawberries by the time an apple tree matures in 8 years. 

Strawberries won’t produce as much as apples, but you will be able to generate revenue early on an easy-to-grow and fast-growing fruit.

• Learn how to Grow Strawberries Using an AeroGarden

5. Blueberry Plants and Profits

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow from seed. Blueberry bushes require little maintenance once they start producing, and they don’t take up too much room.

But they will take some time to start producing fruit. Blueberry shrubs start producing in 3 years, but mature and produce maximum yields after 5 years. Yields will be 5-20 pounds per plant. Blueberries can be sold for about $3-5 per pound. 

Blueberry shrubs don’t take up much space and only need to be separated by about 2 feet. That could potentially give you 100 pounds of blueberries within a 10 foot space. 

6. Longan Trees and Profits

Longans are soft, sweet fruits that grow on trees. They are native to Southern China and will only grow in subtropical climates. 

You will most likely never see them at your local supermarket. They’re usually found at flea markets. Longans will sell for $5-$6 a pound when they’re still attached to the stem. When the fruit is sold alone, they go for about $2-$3 a pound.

Longan trees will start producing fruit in 2 years and about 50 lbs. As the tree matures, it can produce up to 500 pounds at 6 years old.

7. Lychee Trees and Profits

Lychees are sweet, gummy fruits that also originated in China. Lychee trees produce tropical fruits that grow well in Florida.

They will start fruiting in 3 years and produce about 50 lbs of lychee. When the lychee tree matures at 5 years, it can produce up to 125 lbs of lychee per tree. 

The lychee will sell for $2-$4 a pound or more depending on season and scarcity. Lychees are expensive because of their sweetness, nutritional value, and many uses. People love them when they’re in season.

8. Dragon Fruit Cactus Trees and Profits

Dragon fruit cactus trees are native to Central America, Southern Mexio, and Southeast Asia. They are extremely popular in Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Dragon fruits, also known as Pitaya, are used in a variety of cuisines and dishes. They are very sweet fruits with a unique flavor that people enjoy eating.

Dragon fruit cactus grow relatively quickly and will start producing fruit at 2 years.However, fruit production will occur every 12-18 months, so you might get only 2 harvest in 3 years depending on tree care.

Each tree will produce 20 to 60 lbs of fruit per tree, with each pound selling for $5-$8. 

9. Jackfruit Trees and Profits

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that grows in abundance in South Florida and more tropical climates. It is one of the hardest fruits to grow because it needs lots of water and sunshine, but they are one of the largest fruits. 

Jackfruits can average 15-20 pounds each. Each mature jackfruit tree can produce 200 to 500 fruits per year. Each pound can sell from $5 to $8, so each jackfruit is highly profitable. 

These jackfruit trees can also live up to 100 years, so it will provide you money for a lifetime. 

Heirloom Fruit Trees

Heirloom fruit trees, also known as heritage, are varieties of fruit trees that have been around for generations. These heirloom fruit trees were developed over time through selective breeding and crossbreeding.

The heirloom varieties of seeds, plants, and trees are a type of open pollination that produces better fruit than hybrid, modern varieties made in the lab. Heirloom fruits are more naturally more resistant to diseases and pests. 

As your heirloom fruits gain more popularity, your fruits will be known as heritage fruits that have a certain prestige and history attached to them. These are always highly sought after.

Profitable Fruit Trees Final Thoughts

All in all, growing fruit trees is an excellent way to make extra money. You don’t need a huge garden to do this. Just plant a small area where you can keep an eye on things and watch your fruit trees grow.

You’ll want to choose fruit trees that are easy to grow and require little maintenance. You should also look into purchasing fruit trees online if possible. This will save you money and allow you to buy multiple fruit trees at once.

Here are some other articles that might interest you:

• How to Make Your Vegetable Garden Grow Faster
• Gardens are Good for the Environment
• Using Mulch and Compost for Fruit Trees