Operating a Profitable Aquaponics System

An aquaponics system offers extra products at less expenditure; or so we are informed. In this editorial the reality of proper management to ensure that is outlined.

Somebody quoted: `The company with the smaller margin at the same price will usually loose’.  Stated differently, the company that maintains the tightest OPEX (operational expenditure) control will win.  

Managing costs

The relevance of this to greens producers in Aquaponics is that they need to keep costs down wherever possible.  This starts with a workable design that is economically effective so that money is not wasted on unnecessary components or on inefficiencies.  The benefit of buying a known system or erecting a system that duplicates one that is already operational is apparent.  Once the facility has been erected it must afford the opportunity to be operated cost efficiently; do not lift the water 2m if 1m is adequate, do not use 2 pumps if 1 can do the job.

Optimising your Aquaponics System

The rafts and beds need to be always kept full of crops, the tanks full of fish and all need to be growing optimally.  A 10% reduction in growth rate or 10% empty beds essentially mean a 10% reduction in income over time, without a commensurate reduction in OPEX.  Part of this focus must be to control pests and the impact they have on production rates and volumes.  One should also manage theft closely as this is an economic killer.

Marketing 

In the marketplace we need to be sure that we get the best possible price for every leaf.  Different packaging options provide a range of opportunities to sell your crops, thereby increasing your market share.  Lettuce can be sold as whole, living lettuce or as leaves in a bag or combined with other herbs as a salad mix.

Competition 

The aquaponics producer will most likely find the market to be a competitive environment.  Make the most of the natural advantages offered by aquaponics being a natural and wholesome method of crop production, resulting in the most wonderful flavours.  If you can command a premium over other production methods (this is not uncommon for aquaponics crops), this is a game changer as it automatically increases your margin. By: Leslie Ter Morshuizen