Masago Capelin Roe Supply Running Costs: $60k Fixed Monthly

Masago Capelin Roe Supply Running Costs

Expect fixed monthly running costs for Masago Capelin Roe Supply to start around $60,000 in 2026, excluding the cost of goods sold (COGS) This figure covers approximately $23,000 in fixed operating expenses-like cold storage rent and compliance-plus $37,084 in initial payroll for four key roles Your total variable costs, including sourcing, processing, freight, and commissions, will consume about 195% of revenue With projected Year 1 revenue of $161 million, you must maintain a strong working capital buffer The model shows you need a minimum cash balance of $791,000 by February 2026 to cover initial capital expenditures (CapEx) and operating losses until you hit breakeven that same month

7 Operational Expenses to Run Masago Capelin Roe Supply

#	Operating Expense	Expense Category	Description	Min Monthly Amount	Max Monthly Amount
1	Raw Roe Sourcing	COGS	This cost is 100% of gross revenue, covering procurement and import logistics of the raw capelin roe, demanding tight supplier contracts and currency risk management.	$5,700	$5,700
2	Processing/Flavoring	Variable	Budget 35% of revenue for processing and flavor infusion materials, which are critical for product differentiation (Orange, Wasabi, Yuzu Masago) and quality control.	$5,700	$5,700
3	Cold Chain Freight	Logistics	Allocate 40% of revenue for cold chain freight and logistics, covering specialized refrigerated transport necessary to maintain product integrity and safety standards.	$5,700	$5,700
4	Sales Commissions	Sales	Plan for 20% of revenue dedicated to sales commissions and distribution fees, directly tied to B2B Sales Director performance and channel partnerships.	$5,700	$5,700
5	Storage/Rent	Fixed Overhead	Fixed monthly rent totals $11,500, split between $6,500 for the cold storage facility and $5,000 for the administrative office space.	$11,500	$11,500
6	Core Team Payroll	Fixed Overhead	Initial 2026 payroll is approximately $37,084 per month, covering four full-time equivalent (FTE) roles including the CEO and Quality Assurance Specialist.	$37,084	$37,084
7	Regulatory/Maint.	Fixed Overhead	Fixed costs include $3,500/month for insurance and regulatory compliance plus $2,200/month for Quality Control Lab Maintenance, totaling $5,700 monthly.	$5,700	$5,700
	Total	All Operating Expenses		$77,084	$77,084

What is the total monthly running budget needed to sustain operations before profitability?

You need to know the baseline cash requirement to keep the Masago Capelin Roe Supply running before you hit profitability, and honestly, the initial numbers show a significant hurdle. The total monthly running budget starts at a minimum of $60,084, which covers fixed overhead and initial payroll, before factoring in the massive variable costs; if you're planning this launch, review the initial steps here: How To Launch Masago Capelin Roe Supply Business?

Minimum Monthly Cash Drain

Fixed overhead sits at $23,000 every month.
Starting payroll commitment is $37,084 per month.
The guaranteed base burn rate is $60,084 before any sales occur.
This is the cash you must have secured to survive month one.

Variable Cost Overhang

Average variable costs are projected at 195% of gross sales.
This means for every dollar earned, you spend $1.95 on fulfillment/COGS.
You are defintely losing 95 cents on every dollar of revenue generated.
Sales must be high enough to cover the $60,084 fixed drain first.

Which single recurring cost category represents the largest drain on monthly cash flow?

Inventory sourcing, which consumes 100% of revenue, represents the largest drain on monthly cash flow for your Masago Capelin Roe Supply operation, far exceeding fixed costs; you can review the initial investment needed here: How Much To Open Masago Capelin Roe Supply Business?

Fixed Cost Breakdown

Payroll is the largest fixed cost at $37,084 monthly.
Cold storage rent is a fixed overhead of $6,500 per month.
Inventory sourcing is variable, costing 100% of revenue.
If revenue hits $100k, inventory costs $100k, dwarfing payroll.

Actionable Cost Levers

Focus on reducing inventory cost percentage (COGS).
Negotiate better sourcing terms to lower the 100% rate.
Audit storage usage to potentially reduce the $6,500 rent.
Payroll optimization requires hiring efficiency; defintely don't overstaff early.

How much working capital cash buffer is required to cover the initial 12 months of operations?

The initial 12-month working capital buffer for the Masago Capelin Roe Supply needs to cover $791,000 in operating shortfalls plus a significant safety margin for the $365,000 capital expenditure in refrigerated logistics; if you haven't nailed down the operational assumptions driving these numbers, review How To Write A Business Plan For Masago Capelin Roe Supply? first. Founders should plan for a total cash requirement well over $1 million to manage the initial ramp-up and asset acquisition smoothly.

Minimum Cash Requirement

Initial cash need hits $791,000 by February 2026.
This covers 12 months of operating deficits before profitability.
Refrigerated logistics require $365,000 in CapEx.
Don't defintely forget salaries, rent, and inventory float.

Liquidity Buffer Needed

Cold-chain setup is capital intensive.
Add a 30% buffer for unforeseen delays.
If onboarding takes 14+ days, churn risk rises.
A $1 million floor is safer for this model.

If revenue falls 30% below forecast, how will we cover fixed costs and maintain supply chain integrity?

If revenue for the Masago Capelin Roe Supply drops 30% below forecast, immediate action must center on slashing discretionary spending, like the $4,000/month marketing budget, while strictly limiting inventory holding times to protect working capital; this approach is critical for maintaining supply chain integrity until sales recover, which is a key consideration when you think about How To Launch Masago Capelin Roe Supply Business?. Honsetly, we need to know exactly what fixed costs we can pause right now.

Immediate Spending Control

Delay all non-essential marketing spend totaling $4,000 monthly.
Review all SaaS subscriptions for immediate cancellation or downgrade.
Freeze hiring for any non-revenue generating roles immediately.
Negotiate extended payment terms with non-critical vendors.

Inventory & Cash Conversion Cycle

Set maximum holding period for roe inventory at 14 days.
Calculate the cost impact of carrying excess cold-chain inventory.
Prioritize sales orders that reduce inventory age fastest.
Ensure supplier terms match required production lead times.

Key Takeaways

The baseline fixed monthly operating budget, excluding the cost of goods sold, is established at approximately $60,000 per month in 2026.
Total variable costs, driven by sourcing, processing, freight, and commissions, consume an exceptionally high 195% of projected revenue.
A minimum working capital buffer of $791,000 is required by February 2026 to cover initial capital expenditures and operating losses until the business achieves breakeven.
While fixed payroll is the largest fixed monthly expense at $37,084, the overwhelming cost driver remains raw material sourcing, which equates to 100% of gross revenue.

Running Cost 1 : Raw Roe Sourcing (COGS)

Roe Cost eats Revenue

Raw roe sourcing is your biggest hurdle because it eats up 100% of gross revenue. This cost covers buying the raw capelin roe and getting it into the US. You need ironclad supplier contracts and a solid plan for handling currency swings, or you'll never cover your other variable costs. That's just reality.

Sourcing Cost Drivers

You must nail down the unit cost per kilogram landed (procurement plus import fees). Since this is 100% of revenue, even a small price shift means you lose money on every sale immediately. Track supplier quotes monthly against your target landed cost to spot issues fast. This is where the business lives or dies.

Monitor monthly procurement quotes.
Calculate exact import duty estimates.
Define currency hedge requirements.

Managing Raw Cost Risk

Never rely on a single source for this critical input. Negotiate multi-year contracts with fixed pricing windows to lock in rates, even if the upfront price seems high. Avoid spot buying unless absolutely necessary; currency fluctuations can destroy your margins overnight. Don't defintely wait until renewal to renegotiate.

Lock in 6-month price floors.
Use forward contracts for USD/Foreign Currency.
Audit import logistics costs quarterly.

Gross Margin Reality

With roe sourcing at 100% of revenue, your Gross Profit is zero before you even pay for processing or shipping that costs 75% of revenue combined (35% processing + 40% freight). This means your fixed costs of $27,200 ($11,500 rent + $15,700 payroll/reg) must be covered entirely by the margin you generate after all variable costs are paid.

Running Cost 2 : Processing and Flavoring

Set 35% for Flavoring

You must allocate 35% of revenue strictly for processing and flavor infusion materials. This spending directly supports your unique product offerings like Orange, Wasabi, and Yuzu Masago, which is how you beat general suppliers on quality.

Flavor Cost Inputs

This 35% allocation covers the cost of goods sold (COGS) related to flavoring and processing, separate from the raw roe sourcing. To budget this, you need projected monthly revenue multiplied by 0.35. For instance, if projected revenue hits $200,000, set aside $70,000 specifically for these inputs to maintain product differentiation.

Projected monthly revenue figures.
Unit costs for flavorings and dyes.
Volume estimates for specialty batches.

Managing Infusion Spend

Managing this 35% means negotiating bulk pricing on high-volume flavor agents like the standard orange dye. Avoid over-ordering niche flavors like Wasabi or Yuzu Masago until demand is proven; holding excess inventory risks spoilage. Quality control here means standardizing infusion processes across all batches to keep input costs predictable.

Negotiate volume discounts on dyes.
Minimize stock of slow-moving flavors.
Standardize infusion protocols exactly.

Quality Control Link

Dedicating 35% of revenue to processing materials isn't just an expense; it's your primary defense against generic suppliers. If you skimp here, your product consistency fails, and chefs won't pay the premium for your specialized roe. This is defintely non-negotiable spending for market positioning.

Running Cost 3 : Cold Chain Freight

Freight Cost Reality

Cold chain freight is your second-largest operating expense after raw materials. You must budget 40% of revenue specifically for refrigerated transport to keep the masago roe safe and fresh. If your average revenue per case is $100, $40 goes straight to logistics before overhead. This isn't negotiable; it sets your minimum viable price point.

Freight Budget Breakdown

This 40% allocation covers specialized refrigerated transport needed for every shipment from the port or processing center to the customer. You need firm quotes based on projected monthly volume and required temperature logging compliance. It sits just behind the 100% COGS, meaning your gross margin is essentially zero before fixed costs hit.

Refrigerated truck quotes
Temperature monitoring fees
Volume-based rate negotiation

Cutting Logistics Drag

You can't cut corners on temperature control, but you can optimize density. Negotiate carrier contracts based on guaranteed annual volume commitments, not just spot rates. Consolidate shipments where possible to reduce the per-unit cost of refrigeration. If onboarding takes 14+ days, churn risk rises due to delivery delays.

Lock in annual carrier volume tiers
Consolidate shipments to fewer stops
Audit temperature deviation reports

Margin Pressure Check

Factoring in raw roe at 100% and processing at 35%, your contribution margin is severely compressed before fixed overhead. This 40% freight expense means that for every dollar of revenue, 175% ($1.00 + $0.35 + $0.40) is already spent on variable costs related to the product itself. You defintely need to re-evaluate your pricing strategy immediately.

Running Cost 4 : Sales Commissions

Commission Budget

You must budget exactly 20% of total revenue for sales commissions and distribution fees right now. This cost directly links your sales team's compensation and partner payouts to top-line results. If you project $500,000 in monthly revenue, set aside $100,000 immediately for these variable payouts. That's a significant chunk of cash flow to manage.

Cost Inputs

This 20% allocation covers direct B2B Sales Director incentives and fees paid to channel partners moving your masago roe. You calculate this by taking projected monthly revenue (Units Sold × Price Per Unit) and multiplying by 0.20. For example, if you sell $200,000 of product, $40,000 goes to commissions. This is a variable cost, so it scales perfectly with sales volume.

Projected monthly revenue volume.
Agreed commission rate percentage.
Channel partner payout schedules.

Optimization Tactics

Don't just pay on gross sales; structure incentives around profitable revenue streams. If a distributor pushes low-margin inventory, their payout should reflect that lower profitability. Avoid paying full commission on sales that require heavy discounting just to close the deal. Honestly, paying on gross revenue before accounting for returns is a common mistake.

Tie commissions to net revenue realized.
Incentivize sales of premium roe types.
Review all partner contracts quarterly.

Performance Linkage

Tying the Sales Director's pay directly to performance metrics is smart, but ensure those metrics drive sustainable results, not just quick bookings. If customer onboarding takes 14+ days, churn risk rises, so tie bonuses to 90-day customer retention, not just the initial order. This is defintely how you build a lasting B2B sales engine.

Running Cost 5 : Storage and Office Rent

Fixed Facility Costs

Your fixed facility commitment is $11,500 monthly, which is non-negotiable overhead. This covers both the critical cold storage needed for perishable roe and your administrative hub. Managing this cost requires optimizing volume throughput, since it doesn't scale down easily.

Cost Allocation Breakdown

This $11,500 rent is split unevenly across operations. The $6,500 cold storage is a direct cost of maintaining product integrity for your masago roe. The remaining $5,000 covers the administrative office. This fixed cost must be covered before any profit is realized.

Storage: $6,500 (Cold Chain).
Office: $5,000 (Admin).
Total Fixed Rent: $11,500.

Managing Rent Overhead

Fixed rent is tough to cut quickly, but you can manage utilization. Avoid signing long leases until volume is proven. If the office space is underused, consider moving admin functions remotely to shed that $5,000 line item. Don't overcommit on square footage too soon.

Negotiate storage tiers early.
Sublease excess office capacity.
Review lease renewal terms early.

Fixed Cost Impact

Because this $11,500 is fixed, it acts as a high hurdle rate for your profitability. Every unit of roe sold must contribute enough margin to cover this before you see true operating profit. This is a defintely critical component of your monthly burn rate.

Running Cost 6 : Core Team Payroll

Initial Payroll Burn

Your starting payroll in 2026 is set at about $37,084 monthly. This covers four full-time roles needed to run operations, including the CEO and the crucial Quality Assurance Specialist. This number is a fixed operational baseline you must cover every month.

Payroll Inputs

This $37,084 estimate reflects the fully loaded cost for four FTEs starting in 2026. You need firm salary quotes for the CEO and the Quality Assurance Specialist first. Then, add employer payroll taxes and benefits-often 25% to 40% above base salary-to get this total monthly burn. What this estimate hides is the timing of hiring the fourth person.

Managing People Costs

Payroll is a sticky fixed cost; slow hiring is your friend early on. Avoid hiring non-essential staff until revenue velocity demands it. For specialized roles like QA, consider fractional or consultant agreements initially to test fit before committing to full-time overhead. That saves defintely significant long-term liability.

Fixed Cost Reality

This $37,084 payroll is separate from your variable COGS (100% of revenue) and processing costs (35% of revenue). You must generate enough gross profit from roe sales just to cover this fixed personnel expense before paying rent or utilities. It's the engine running the business.

Running Cost 7 : Regulatory and Maintenance

Compliance Fixed Load

Fixed overhead for compliance and quality checks hits $5,700 monthly. This cost is non-negotiable for maintaining regulatory standing and product integrity in the seafood supply chain.

Cost Breakdown

Regulatory costs total $3,500 monthly, covering required liability insurance and adherence to FDA guidelines for imported seafood. Lab maintenance adds $2,200 for calibration and upkeep of the Quality Control Lab. This is a baseline fixed cost regardless of sales volume.

Insurance and compliance: $3,500
QC Lab upkeep: $2,200
Total fixed monthly cost: $5,700

Managing Fixed Compliance

You can't skip these checks, but you can shop around for better insurance rates. Review your liability coverage annually against industry benchmarks, aiming for a 5-10% reduction in the $3,500 insurance portion. Defintely audit lab maintenance contracts yearly for competitive bids.

Benchmark insurance quotes annually.
Negotiate maintenance service tiers.
Ensure compliance scope is lean.

Fixed Cost Anchor

This $5,700 fixed overhead must be covered before any variable costs are accounted for. It sits alongside your $11,500 rent and payroll to set the true minimum revenue floor. Know this number well; it's your absolute baseline expense for operating legally.