Sunday Solopreneur
Read on my website – Read Time: 8-9 Minutes
Raising Prices Without Losing Your Customers (or Your Sanity)
Raising prices is never fun. It’s one of those things every farmer, small business owner, and entrepreneur will face at some point. And yet, it’s something that many avoid for too long—sometimes at the expense of their own business.
Recently, we had to make an immediate price increase on our pork (See our email below).
Normally, we try to give our customers a 30-day notice, but this time, we simply couldn’t. We were too far behind, and to continue raising pigs and producing pork, something had to change.
It wasn’t about following pricing trends or taking advantage of inflation—this was about covering the actual cost of doing business and ensuring that we could keep providing high-quality, pasture-raised meat.
So, how do you go about raising prices without alienating your customers? Here are a few things we’ve learned over the years that have helped us maintain transparency, trust, and—most importantly—our ability to keep farming.
1. Give a Heads-Up When You Can
Whenever possible, let your customers know ahead of time. A 30-day price freeze can allow them to stock up before the increase kicks in. This helps soften the impact and gives them time to prepare.
We’ve always done this historically, but unfortunately with our most recent pork pricing adjustment, waiting wasn’t an option. If you find yourself in that boat, transparency is key.
2. Be Honest, But Keep It Simple
You don’t need to go into deep financial breakdowns, but you also shouldn’t just repeat what every other business is saying. Yes, inflation and rising costs are factors, but instead of using generic terms, explain the specifics of why your costs are increasing.
For us, processing fees have nearly doubled in three years, and that’s just one example. Our customers appreciate knowing that we aren’t raising prices arbitrarily—we’re doing it because we have to.
3. Be Strategic with Price Increases
Some price increases hit harder than others. We try to keep essential items like ground beef, sausage, and roasts as stable as possible while making larger adjustments on premium cuts (Steaks, tenderloins, etc). Not everyone is buying a pork tenderloin every week, but staple meats are in high demand.
Keeping those reasonably priced ensures that our farm remains accessible to more people, while still allowing us to adjust pricing on higher-end items.
4. Communicate Clearly
A small 5-10% price increase may not warrant an email, but bigger jumps should come with an explanation. When customers understand why something is happening, they’re far more likely to stick with you.
Many of our longtime customers respect the fact that we don’t hide from tough conversations and that we’re upfront about what’s happening on the farm.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Lose a Few Customers
This one is tough, but it’s the reality of running a business. Some people will leave when prices go up, and that’s okay.
If your pricing is based on what it truly costs to run your farm sustainably, then those who value what you do will continue to support you.
Trying to keep everyone happy at the expense of your own profitability is a losing game.
Raising Prices is Just a Part of Business
If you farm, or run any business, price increases are inevitable. Costs rise, and in order to stay sustainable, your prices need to reflect those realities.
The key is handling those increases with honesty, strategy, and good communication.
At the end of the day, our goal is to continue providing high-quality, pasture-raised food while ensuring the farm remains viable for years to come.
We don’t take price increases lightly, and we truly appreciate the trust and support of our customers who value what we do. Their support allows small farms like ours (and yours) to continue raising animals the right way, without cutting corners.
So, when the time comes for you to adjust your prices, don’t feel guilty. Be transparent, be fair, and know that those who understand and appreciate your work will continue to stand by you.
thanks for reading and I will see you next week!
Our Recent Letter to Customers on Pork Price Increases
‘Raising Prices to Keep Raising Pasture-Raised Pork
We wanted to take a moment to share an update about our pork prices and, more importantly, to say thank you for supporting our farm.
We know that price increases are never welcome news, and we usually try to give our customers a window before making any changes.
However, this time, we found ourselves in a position where we had to adjust prices immediately in order to keep the farm sustainable.
Like everyone, we’ve been feeling the strain of rising costs. I hate parroting that phrase, but it’s a reality of any business these days.
Over the last three years, our processing expenses have nearly doubled. Unfortunately, we are beholden to these processors as it’s a legal requirement in order to sell our meat.
Then there is also the cost of feed, infrastructure (and repairs), and the pigs themselves. There is also hidden costs such as insurance, electricity / freezers, credit card / payment processor fees.
I’m also partly responsible as I should have been incrementally increasing prices to keep up with the costs.
All that is to say, to keep our farm running / sustainable, we’ve had to adjust prices on some of our pork products immediately.
We’ve worked hard to keep the increases minimal on staples like sausage and roasts, while most of the larger adjustments are on more premium cuts.
Our goal is to ensure that you can continue to enjoy farm-fresh, pasture-raised meat and that we can continue to produce it.
We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support. Farming isn’t just our business—it’s our way of life. And knowing that we have a community that values what we do makes all the difference.
If you ever have any questions or thoughts, we’d love to hear from you. Thanks again for being part of our family!
With gratitude,
Jason & Lexi
with my appreciation,
Jason
Aka: The Part-Time Farmer
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