Bulletin E3532
Michigan Cabbage Cost of Production 2024
DOWNLOAD
September 4, 2025 - Chris Bardenhagen, Chris Galbraith and Molly Sears, Michigan State University Extension
Print
EmailThe average cost of producing fresh market cabbage was nearly $7,700 per acre in 2024. Revenues slightly exceeded costs, providing growers with a small economic profit. Our calculations include a management allocation of $200, which also represents income for farmers who directly manage their fields. Harvest costs were found to make up the majority of total production costs for fresh cabbage, making up 56% of the total.
For processing market cabbage (cabbage sold directly to processors), production costs added up to $4,140 per acre. While most cost components are similar between fresh and processing market cabbage, harvest costs are significantly lower for processing cabbage. Estimated revenues exceeded costs, leading to $1,300 in economic profit for processing cabbage.
Variable costs of production include labor and inputs such as fertilizer, crop protectant materials, and seedlings for transplant. Labor makes up 37% of total costs for fresh cabbage, and 38% for processing cabbage. Fixed costs, including equipment, irrigation systems, and land control costs, are a relatively small fraction of total costs—about 9% for fresh cabbage and 18% for processing cabbage.
