Mealworm Farming Setup Cost in Pakistan (Complete Cost Breakdown for 2025)
Mealworm farming is one of the few agriculture businesses that you can start with very little money and still scale into a profitable commercial setup. Whether you want to begin from home, use a spare room, or build a small unit, the cost is low and the production starts quickly. Before investing, follow How to Start Mealworm Farming to plan correctly.
This detailed cost breakdown explains the exact setup cost of mealworm farming in Pakistan in 2025. The guide includes the cost of trays, bedding, racks, beetles, starter colonies, moisture food, and monthly running expenses—so you can calculate your investment accurately.
⭐ 1. How Much Does It Cost to Start Mealworm Farming?
Mealworm farming can be started at three levels:
1.1 Home Setup (Small) Cost: PKR 10,000 – 30,000
Best for beginners. Uses:
- 5–10 plastic trays
- 500g–1kg starter colony
- Basic sifter
- Wheat bran bedding
- Room temperature (no equipment)
1.2 Small Commercial Setup Cost: PKR 40,000 – 90,000
Best for small business owners. Uses:
- 20–40 trays
- Steel or wooden rack
- Larger starter colony
- Moisture feeding schedule
- Optional drying equipment
1.3 Medium Setup Cost: PKR 100,000 – 250,000
Best for business-level farming. Uses:
- 60–120 trays
- Full rack system
- 10–20 kg starter colony
- Temperature management
- High production rate
⭐ 2. Full Cost Breakdown (Item-by-Item)
Let’s look at every cost required to start a mealworm setup.
⭐ 2.1 Trays Cost
Trays are the main investment.
Plastic Mealworm Trays
- Size: 40×30×10 or 50×40×12
- Price: PKR 150 – 350 per tray
Required Quantity: - Home: 5–10
- Small: 20–40
- Medium: 60–120
Total Tray Cost: - Home: PKR 1,000 – 3,000
- Small: PKR 5,000 – 12,000
- Medium: PKR 12,000 – 30,000
⭐ 2.2 Starter Colony Cost
A good starter colony is the heart of your setup.
Live Larvae Price (2025):
PKR 1,200 – 1,800 per kg
Beetles Price:
PKR 2,500 – 3,500 per 1,000 beetles
Starter Colony Requirements:
- Home setup: 500g–1 kg larvae
- Small setup: 3–5 kg larvae
- Medium setup: 10–20 kg larvae
Total Colony Cost: - Home: PKR 1,200 – 2,000
- Small: PKR 5,000 – 9,000
- Medium: PKR 12,000 – 30,000
⭐ 2.3 Bedding Cost
Bedding includes:
- Wheat bran
- Oat bran
- Grower feed
- Cornmeal (optional)
Wheat Bran Price:
PKR 60–90 per kg
Monthly Bedding Use: - Home: 4–6 kg
- Small: 8–15 kg
- Medium: 20–40 kg
Monthly Bedding Cost: - Home: PKR 300 – 500
- Small: PKR 500 – 1,500
- Medium: PKR 1,200 – 3,000
⭐ 2.4 Racks Cost
Racks are optional for small setups but necessary for commercial farms.
Wooden Rack Price:
PKR 2,500 – 6,000 per rack
Steel Rack Price:
PKR 5,000 – 12,000 per rack
Rack Requirement:
- Home: Not required
- Small: 1–2 racks
- Medium: 2–5 racks
Total Rack Cost: - Small: PKR 3,000 – 20,000
- Medium: PKR 10,000 – 50,000
⭐ 2.5 Moisture Food Cost
Includes:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Apples
- Cucumbers
Monthly Moisture Cost: - Home: PKR 100 – 200
- Small: PKR 150 – 300
- Medium: PKR 300 – 700
⭐ 2.6 Drying Equipment Cost (Optional)
Air Drying:
Free (best for small setups)
Oven Drying:
Electricity cost: PKR 300 – 1,000 per month
Best for medium setups.
Food Dehydrator:
PKR 8,000 – 12,000 (optional)
⭐ 2.7 Sifting Equipment Cost
To separate worms from frass.
Manual Sifter:
PKR 300 – 600
Large Sifting Mesh:
PKR 500 – 1,200
Total:
PKR 300 – 1,800 depending on size.
⭐ 2.8 Packaging Cost
For dried worms:
- Ziplock bags
- Stand-up pouches
- Jars
Monthly Packaging Cost: - Home: PKR 200 – 400
- Small: PKR 300 – 700
- Medium: PKR 500 – 1,200
⭐ 2.9 Electricity Cost
Electricity is optional unless using an oven or heater.
Electricity Use:
- Fans in summer
- Small heater in winter
- Oven drying
Monthly Electricity Cost: - Home: PKR 0 – 300
- Small: PKR 200 – 600
- Medium: PKR 300 – 1,200
⭐ 3. Complete Setup Cost Summary
Here is the total estimated setup cost:
⭐ 3.1 Home Setup (5–10 Trays)
Item Cost
Trays 1,000 – 3,000
Bedding 300 – 500
Starter Colony 1,200 – 2,000
Moisture Food 100 – 200
Tools/Sifter 300 – 600
Packaging 200 – 400
Total PKR 10,000 – 30,000
Perfect for beginners.
Proper planning is important when learning how to set up a mealworm farm for long-term production.
⭐ 3.2 Small Commercial Setup (20–40 Trays)
Item Cost
Trays 5,000 – 12,000
Bedding 500 – 1,500
Starter Colony 5,000 – 9,000
Rack System 3,000 – 20,000
Moisture Food 150 – 300
Tools/Sifter 500 – 1,200
Packaging 300 – 700
Total PKR 40,000 – 90,000
This is the best range for small businesses and Daraz sellers.
⭐ 3.2 Medium Setup (60–120 Trays)
Item Cost
Trays 12,000 – 30,000
Bedding 1,200 – 3,000
Starter Colony 12,000 – 30,000
Rack System 10,000 – 50,000
Drying Equipment 0 – 12,000
Moisture Food 300 – 700
Tools/Sifter 800 – 1,800
Packaging 500 – 1,200
Total PKR 100,000 – 250,000
Perfect for business-level mealworm production.
⭐ 4. Monthly Running Cost
Once the setup is complete, the monthly running cost is low:
Home Setup:
PKR 600 – 1,000
Small Setup:
PKR 1,000 – 2,500
Medium Setup:
PKR 2,000 – 5,000
Low running cost = high profitability.
⭐ 5. How Quickly Can You Recover Your Investment?
Mealworm farming has one of the fastest payback periods.
Home Setup:
1–2 months
Small Setup:
2–3 months
Medium Setup:
3–5 months
Because dried mealworms sell for a great price, your investment comes back quickly.
⭐ 6. How to Reduce Setup Cost
Here are smart ways to keep your cost low:
- Buy trays locally instead of online
- Use air-drying instead of a dehydrator
- Start with fewer beetles
- Build your own wooden rack
- Use wheat bran as the main bedding
- Gradually expand every month
- Buy larvae in bulk
⭐ 7. Internal Linking Suggestions
Link this article to:
- “Mealworm Farming Profit Calculation”
- “How to Sell Mealworms in Pakistan”
- “Mealworm Market Demand in Pakistan”
- “Best Bedding for Mealworms”
- “How to Grow Mealworms Faster”
⭐ 8. Final Conclusion
Mealworm farming is one of Pakistan’s most affordable and beginner-friendly agro-business ideas. The setup cost is low, the running cost is minimal, and the demand is increasing every month. To estimate earnings, read Mealworm Farming Profit Calculation in Pakistan. A home setup can be launched with as little as PKR 10,000, while a small commercial setup stays under PKR 90,000.
With proper trays, temperature management, balanced feeding, and clean trays, you can scale your mealworm business quickly and achieve strong monthly profit. Whether you start small or aim for a commercial unit, this cost breakdown gives you a clear roadmap for your investment.