One Acre Cabbage Farming: Complete Worldwide Cultivation, Yield, Costing and Profit Guide

1. Introduction: Why Cabbage Is One of the World’s Most Profitable One-Acre Crops

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is among the most widely cultivated leafy vegetables worldwide. It is grown in over 150 countries and consumed across homes, restaurants, food-processing industries, hotels, grocery chains and export markets. The global cabbage market value exceeds $70 billion annually, making it one of the most stable crops for commercial farming.

Cabbage is ideal for one-acre cultivation because:

Short-duration crop (75–120 days)

Very high yield per acre (20–35 tons)

Excellent profitability

Strong domestic and export demand

Low input cost

Very stable pricing

Suitable for open-field as well as controlled farming

Works in cold and moderate climates

One acre cabbage farming, when done with hybrid seeds and scientific management, can generate a consistent income with minimal risks.

2. Climate Requirements

Cabbage requires a cool and moist climate.
It performs best in:

Temperature: 15–25°C

Minimum: 8°C

Maximum: 30°C

Relative humidity: 60–80%

Day length: 6–8 hours sunlight

Global Cabbage Production Regions

China

India

Japan

Korea

Russia

USA (California, Wisconsin, New York)

Netherlands

Spain

Kenya

South Africa

Cabbage cannot tolerate extreme heat; it thrives in cool conditions.

3. Soil Requirements

Cabbage requires:

Well-drained loamy soil

Soil pH: 6.0–6.5

High organic matter

Deep soil for root development

Good moisture retention

Zero waterlogging

One-Acre Soil Preparation Steps

Plough the field 2–3 times

Add 8–10 tons of compost or FYM

Add 50–80 kg neem cake

Add sand if soil is heavy

Prepare raised beds of 3–4 ft width

Ensure fine tilth to support transplanting

4. Seed Rate and Nursery Management

Seed Requirement for One Acre

Hybrid seed: 80–120 grams

Open pollinated seed: 150–200 grams

Hybrid seeds produce double yield and uniform head size.

Nursery Steps

Seed Treatment

Treat seeds with Trichoderma or carbendazim

Helps prevent damping off disease

Growing Media

Cocopeat

Vermiculite

Perlite

Compost mix

Nursery Duration

25–30 days

Transplant Size

4–5 leaf stage

12–15 cm height

Healthy, green, disease-free seedlings

5. Global Hybrid Varieties of Cabbage

High-Yield Hybrids

Green Express

Golden Acre

Pride of India

Pusa Drumhead

Copenhagen Market

KK Cross

Brunswick

Blue Dynasty

Heat-Tolerant Varieties

Pusa Mukta

Pusa Ageti

Export Preferred Varieties

Round Green Head

Blue Diamond

Sugar Loaf

6. Planting Layout and Spacing

Recommended Spacing

Row-to-row: 2 ft (60 cm)

Plant-to-plant: 1.5 ft (45 cm)

Plant Population per Acre

14,000–18,000 plants

Planting Depth

2–3 cm

Proper spacing ensures bigger, heavier heads.

7. Irrigation Requirement (Week-by-Week Schedule)

Cabbage needs regular moisture.

Week 1–2 (Establishment)

Light irrigation daily

Week 3–5

Every 2–3 days

Week 6–8 (Head Formation)

Crucial stage

Irrigate every 2 days

Week 9–12 (Maturity)

Irrigate every 4–5 days

Total Water Requirement

400–550 liters per acre per day (drip)

Best Method

Drip irrigation because:

Saves water

Reduces disease

Supports fertigation

Improves head size

8. Fertilizer Schedule (Complete Month-by-Month Program)

Basal Dose

FYM/compost: 8–10 tons

Neem cake: 50 kg

NPK 12:32:16: 40–60 kg

Fertigation Program

Month 1 (Vegetative Growth)

NPK 19:19:19 → 4 kg/week

Urea → 3 kg/week

Calcium nitrate → 2 kg/week

Month 2 (Cabbage Head Formation)

Potassium nitrate → 5 kg/week

Magnesium sulphate → 2 kg/week

NPK 13:00:45 → 4 kg/week

Month 3 (Maturity)

SOP (sulphate of potash) → 4 kg/week

MKP 0:52:34 → 3 kg/week

Micronutrient Sprays (Every 20 Days)

Boron 0.2% (prevents cracking)

Zinc sulphate 0.5%

Ferrous sulphate 0.5%

Calcium chloride 0.5%

9. Weed Management

Pendimethalin (pre-emergence)

Manual weeding at 20 days

Second weeding at 40 days

Mulching reduces weeds significantly

10. Pest Management (Global Standard)

Major Pests

1. Diamondback Moth (DBM)

Control:

Emamectin benzoate

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

2. Aphids

Control:

Imidacloprid

Thiamethoxam

3. Cabbage Caterpillar

Control:

Chlorantraniliprole

Spinosad

4. Cutworms

Control:

Soil drenching with chlorpyrifos

11. Disease Management

Black Rot

Control: Copper oxychloride

Downy Mildew

Control: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb

Damping Off (nursery)

Control: Trichoderma

Alternaria Leaf Spot

Control: Mancozeb

Proper crop rotation reduces disease pressure.

12. Harvesting Timeline

Cabbage matures in:

Early varieties: 70–80 days

Mid varieties: 85–95 days

Late varieties: 100–120 days

Indicators:

Heads firm

Uniform size

Tight leaf wrapping

13. Yield Per Acre

Average Yield

20–25 tons

High Yield (hybrid + drip)

30–35 tons

Record Yield

40+ tons (best management)

14. Global Market Prices (USD)

RegionPrice per kgUSA$0.50 – $1.20Europe$0.60 – $1.30Middle East$0.40 – $0.80Asia$0.20 – $0.60Africa$0.15 – $0.40

Processing cabbage

$1.0 – $2.0 per kg

15. Profit Analysis

Revenue Example

25,000 kg × $0.40 = $10,000 revenue

Total Cost per Acre

$2,000–$3,500

Net Profit

$6,000 – $12,000 per acre

High-value hybrids can reach $14,000+ profit.

16. Export Opportunities

Top importing countries:

UAE

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Oman

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Malaysia

Singapore

Documents Required

Phytosanitary certificate

Certificate of origin

Invoice

Packing list

IEC code

17. Value Addition Products

Sauerkraut

Dehydrated cabbage

Cabbage powder

Pickled cabbage

Kimchi (high export value)

Cabbage juice

Value addition increases returns 3–5 times.

18. Storage and Packaging

Storage Conditions

Temperature: 0–4°C

Humidity: 90–95%

Ventilated crates

Packaging

Mesh bags

Plastic crates

Vacuum-sealed bags (export)

19. Conclusion

Cabbage is among the most profitable and dependable cool-season vegetable crops grown worldwide. Its short duration, high yield, strong market demand, export value, and low production cost make it a top choice for one-acre farming.

With hybrid seeds, precise irrigation, balanced fertilizer application, and timely pest management, farmers can consistently achieve:

20–35 tons yield

$6,000–$12,000 net profit

Premium price in export markets

Year-round stable demand

Cabbage farming supports high-value processing industries, making it suitable for youth agripreneurs and commercial vegetable growers.

20. FAQ
21. What is the seed rate per acre?

80–120 grams hybrid seed.

2. How many days does cabbage take to mature?

70–120 days depending on variety.

3. How much yield per acre?

20–35 tons.

4. Best irrigation method?

Drip irrigation.

5. Which pests are most dangerous?

Diamondback moth, aphids, caterpillars.

6. What is the global price?

$0.20–$1.30 per kg depending on region.

7. Which country produces the most cabbage?

China.

8. Which country imports the most?

Middle Eastern countries.

9. How to increase cabbage head size?

Potassium and boron supplements during head formation.

10. What are the profit margins?

$6,000–$12,000 per acre.

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