High Tunnel ROI for Tomatoes and Peppers
Real yield lift, price lift, and payback period on a 30x96 tunnel of tomatoes or peppers with and without EQIP cost-share.
A 30×96 high tunnel is the Southeast's most common season-extension investment. On tomatoes and peppers, it typically pays back in year 2 or 3 — faster with EQIP cost-share, slower without.
Cost
- 30×96 tunnel kit: $8,500–11,000
- Site prep, anchors, endwalls: $1,500
- Install labor (or self-install): $1,500–3,000
- Interior drip + fertigation: $800
- Total: $12,300–16,300
EQIP cost-share
NRCS EQIP typically covers 50–75% of the kit cost. Apply in the fall for spring construction — the application takes 4–6 months to process.
Revenue lift
- Tomato. Field yield ~30 lb/plant, tunnel ~50 lb/plant. 900 plants in a 30×96 tunnel = ~45,000 lb over the season. Price averages $2.50/lb wholesale (extended window). Gross: $112,500 / tunnel-season.
- Pepper. Field ~10 lb/plant, tunnel ~18 lb/plant. 900 plants = ~16,200 lb at $2.20 wholesale. Gross: $35,640.
Payback
Net income (after variable costs) is typically 55–65% of gross in a tunnel. On tomatoes at ~$70,000 net, payback is year 1 without cost-share. On peppers at ~$22,000 net, payback is year 1 with EQIP and year 2 without.
Tradeoffs
Aphids, whiteflies, and TYLCV pressure are worse under cover — plan on weekly scouting and beneficial insect releases. Ventilation management is a daily task in April–May and September.
Run this in BAU, not a spreadsheet
The planner, calculator, and buyer marketplace are included on every plan.