From 15 Hens to 3,000: Living Off Free-Range Eggs Thanks to Effort

A Gran Canaria entrepreneur is expanding his direct-to-consumer free-range egg business, aiming for 5,000 birds and an improved delivery network.

Carton of local free-range eggs with a field background.
IA

Carton of local free-range eggs with a field background.

An entrepreneur from Arucas, Gran Canaria, has transformed an initial purchase of 15 hens into a thriving free-range egg business, now housing 3,000 birds with plans to reach 5,000.

The story of Jesús Ginés, a rural entrepreneur from Arucas (Gran Canaria), is one of perseverance. After leaving his job, he decided to venture into farming with his wife, turning a modest purchase of 15 laying hens bought on Milanuncios into a business that now boasts 3,000 birds.
His beginnings were humble, selling surplus eggs to acquaintances in the La Isleta neighborhood. The superior quality of his eggs compared to supermarket offerings generated growing demand, prompting business expansion. "There's a good business behind a good product, and I saw that," Ginés states, convinced that quality was his key advantage.

"They asked me for more eggs, more eggs, and I said, let's get more"

Jesús Ginés · Rural entrepreneur
Growth has been gradual since 2022, progressing through phases of 300, 400, and 700 birds to reach the current 3,000. The business model focuses on direct home delivery, although some restaurants are also supplied. The goal is to enhance private deliveries with multiple distributors.
Currently, Ginés delivers in La Isleta, the northern part, and occasionally the south of the island. The primary sales format is a carton of 30 eggs for 10 euros. The entrepreneur emphasizes the personal connection he builds with customers during deliveries, describing the experience as "a joy".

"Apart from the business, I connect with people. When I go to a house, it's all joy"

Jesús Ginés · Rural entrepreneur
The path has not been without challenges, particularly bureaucracy and the necessary permits for the farm. After being rejected by several banks, he found financing through MicroBank, the social bank of CaixaBank. Ginés is grateful that the institution trusted his project and his personal "enthusiasm".
With the farm now established, Jesús Ginés is looking towards the future with ambition. His short-term goal is to reach 5,000 hens by the end of the year and expand his delivery network. His journey demonstrates that "he who seeks, finds" through hard work.

"I hit the streets to look for it, whoever wants it, gets it"

Jesús Ginés · Rural entrepreneur