Calculate greenhouse setup costs, annual running expenses, ROI and payback period. 5 greenhouse types, 6 crops — with country-specific material costs and market prices.
AfroTools' Greenhouse Cost Estimator calculates the complete financial picture of greenhouse farming in Africa. Enter your planned greenhouse size and type, choose a crop and number of growing cycles, and get a full cost breakdown — from structure and irrigation to annual running costs, revenue projections, ROI, and payback period. Each country tool uses current local material costs and crop market prices.
The calculator covers five greenhouse types common in Africa: wooden frame with polythene (budget option for smallholders), galvanized steel with polythene (the most popular commercial choice), shade net houses (ideal for nurseries and leafy vegetables), steel frame with polycarbonate panels (premium, 12+ year cover life), and hydroponic tunnels (highest yields, export-quality crops). Each type has different setup costs, lifespans, and suitability for African climates.
Tomato, capsicum/bell pepper, cucumber, lettuce/leafy greens, fresh herbs (basil, coriander), and strawberry — the six highest-value greenhouse crops in Africa. The calculator shows yield per m² per cycle, number of cycles per year, price range, and production cost, giving you a complete profitability picture.
For a first greenhouse, 120–240 m² (an 8×15m or 8×30m tunnel) is a manageable starting point that limits capital risk while generating real commercial output. At 240 m² with steel/polythene and tomatoes, a Kenyan farmer can expect around 3,600 kg/year — worth KSh 288,000 at mid-market prices. Scale up after the first full cycle.
Steel-frame with polythene is typically the best value in Africa — good structural life (15 years), manageable setup cost, and familiar to local contractors. Wooden polythene has lower setup cost but frequent maintenance. Polycarbonate and hydroponic have higher setup costs but longer cover life and premium yields for export markets.
Costs are based on current market data from supplier quotes, government agricultural ministry publications, and FAOSTAT data. Prices vary by location, season and supplier — use these figures as a planning baseline, then get 2–3 quotes from local greenhouse suppliers before committing.
Yes — greenhouse farming in Africa can generate 3–10× the yield of open-field production, plus a quality premium for off-season supply. Kenya's export flower and horticulture sector is built on greenhouses. Morocco's Souss-Massa region (30,000+ ha of greenhouses) is Africa's most successful example of large-scale greenhouse farming. The key success factors are consistent water supply, proximity to markets or export channels, and good crop management.
Greenhouse construction costs: local supplier catalogues (Aqua Hub Kenya, Netafim, Richel Group), KALRO data, and FOFIFA publications. Crop yields: FAOSTAT, CGIAR protected agriculture research, and national horticultural boards. Market prices: national commodity price bulletins updated annually.