Cauliflower Global Nutrition, Farming, Cost, Profit & Export Guide

1. Introduction (Global Vegetable Overview)

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is one of the most commercially important vegetables in the world. Cultivated across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America, cauliflower is considered a premium vegetable due to its high nutritional value, long shelf life, suitability for export, and excellent profitability.

It is a cool-season crop, highly responsive to fertilizers, irrigation management, and modern agriculture technologies such as mulching, drip irrigation, fertigation, and controlled environment farming.

Global demand for cauliflower is increasing sharply due to rising consumption of healthy foods, keto diets, and cauliflower-based processed products such as cauliflower rice, pizza crust, pasta alternatives, and frozen cuts.

2. Botanical Details

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Family: Brassicaceae

Plant Type: Cool-season, annual vegetable

Edible Part: Curd (flower head)

Origin: Mediterranean region

Pollination: Mostly cross-pollinated

Chromosome: 2n = 18

3. Nutrition Profile (per 100 g raw cauliflower)

NutrientAmountHealth BenefitCalories25 kcalLow-calorie foodProtein1.9 gMuscle repairCarbohydrates5 gEnergyFiber2 gDigestionVitamin C48 mgImmunity boosterVitamin K15 µgBone healthFolate57 µgCell growthPotassium300 mgHeart healthAntioxidantsHighAnti-cancer properties

Cauliflower contains glucosinolates, known to reduce risk of cancer and inflammation.

4. Global Culinary Uses

Cauliflower is used in over 120 countries in:

Curries, soups, stir-fries

Cauliflower rice, pizza crust

Pickles, roasted cauliflower

Kimchi, fermented foods

Frozen vegetable mixes

Baby food puree products

Premium hotel & restaurant menus

5. Seed Requirement (Worldwide Standard)

Per Acre

250–350 grams

Per Hectare

1–1.5 kg

Hybrid varieties need slightly higher seed quality for uniform curd formation.

6. Soil Science

Ideal soil for cauliflower:

Loamy or sandy-loam soil

pH 6.0–7.0

Rich in organic matter

High calcium and boron availability

Deep, well-drained soil (to avoid root rot)

7. Climate Requirement (Country-wise)

India

Best season: October–February

Temperature: 15–25°C

USA

California, Arizona – winter crop

Temperature: 10–22°C

Europe

UK, Spain, Italy – cool moist climate

Temperature: 8–20°C

China

Grown year-round in controlled environments

Middle East

Winter-only crop

Requires irrigation management due to heat

8. Irrigation Schedule

First irrigation immediately after transplanting

Next irrigation after 4 days

Then every 7–10 days

Avoid water logging

Maintain uniform moisture during curd formation

Drip irrigation recommended for highest yield

9. Fertilizer Schedule (Global Standard)

Basal Dose

20–25 tons FYM per hectare

NPK 60:40:40 kg per hectare

Top Dressing

Nitrogen split into 2–3 doses

Boron + Calcium essential for curd quality

Micronutrient sprays increase yield

Organic Farming

Vermicompost

Fish amino acid

Seaweed extract

Trichoderma for soil health

10. Pests & Disease Management (Scientific Names Included)

Major pests

Cabbage worm (Pieris brassicae)

Aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae)

Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

Diseases

Black rot (Xanthomonas campestris)

Downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica)

Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae)

Controls

Neem oil

Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)

Copper oxychloride

Crop rotation (3 years)

Drip fertigation to reduce humidity

11. Crop Duration (Country-wise)

India: 90–120 days

USA: 80–110 days

Europe: 100–130 days

Cold regions: 140 days

Hybrid fast-maturing: 75–90 days

12. Yield (Worldwide Data)

Normal Yield: 25–30 tons per hectare

Hybrid Yield: 35–50 tons per hectare

Controlled environment: Up to 60 tons/ha

13. Cost of Cultivation (USD Only)

ExpenseUSD (Per Hectare)Seeds$120Nursery Preparation$80Manure & Fertilizers$250Irrigation$110Labor$350Pesticides & Fungicides$120Mulching + Drip System$220Harvesting + Packaging$150Transport$90Miscellaneous$100Total Cost$1,590

14. Profit Analysis (USD Only)

Market Prices

Local wholesale: $0.40–0.70 per kg

Export grade: $1.00–1.70 per kg

Revenue Calculation

Hybrid yield = 40,000 kg

Case 1: Local Market

40,000 × $0.50 = $20,000

Profit = $20,000 – $1,590 = $18,410

Case 2: Export Market

40,000 × $1.50 = $60,000

Profit = $60,000 – $1,590 = $58,410

Cauliflower is one of the highest-profit vegetables worldwide.

15. Post-Harvest Technology

Precooling at 0–2°C

Grading by size & color

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)

Cold storage life: 3–4 weeks

Export requires strict quality grading

16. Global Selling Channels

Wholesale markets

Supermarkets

Hotels & restaurants

Frozen food processors

Exporters

Online grocery platforms

17. Loans & Insurance (Worldwide)

Agriculture Loans

Equipment loan

Crop loan

Greenhouse loan

Drip/mulching subsidy loan

Crop Insurance

Covers:

Drought

Flood

Disease outbreak

Cyclone

Market crash

18. FAQs (With Consion Added)

1. What is the global cost of cauliflower farming per hectare?
Around $1,500–$1,700 depending on country.

2. How much profit can farmers earn?
$18,000–$58,000 per hectare depending on market and export price.

3. How many seeds are required?
1–1.5 kg per hectare.

4. Which fertilizers give maximum yield?
NPK + boron + calcium + organic manure.

5. How long does cauliflower take to mature?
75–130 days depending on climate.

6. What is the ideal irrigation schedule?
Every 7–10 days with drip irrigation recommended.

7. What diseases affect cauliflower?
Black rot, downy mildew, clubroot.

8. Which countries export most cauliflower?
China, India, Spain, USA, Netherlands.

9. What is the best temperature for curd formation?
15–20°C.

10. How to increase curd size?
Balanced nitrogen + boron + calcium + uniform watering.

11. What are the top hybrid varieties?
Snowball, White Freedom, Amazing, Hybrid 60.

12. What is the shelf life?
3–4 weeks in cold storage.

13. Is cauliflower profitable worldwide?
Yes, extremely profitable due to high demand.

14. Can it be grown organically?
Yes, yields slightly lower but price higher.

15. How to sell cauliflower for export?
Need grading, cold chain, export certification.

19. Conclusion (Consion)

Cauliflower stands as one of the most reliable, profitable, and globally demanded vegetables. Its strong export market, high nutritional value, and suitability for modern technologies make it an ideal commercial crop for any country. With properly managed seeds, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and global marketing channels, farmers can earn exceptional profits in USD.

Cauliflower is a world market vegetable with the capability to give 10–40× returns. For global farmers, it remains one of the best vegetables for sustainable, high-income agriculture.

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