By PLANBIZ
Nigeria is a country with a population of over 200 million people, and the food processing industry is booming. There are many opportunities for entrepreneurs to start a food processing business in Nigeria and make big money.
• In this article, Plan Biz discussed 20 food processing businesses that you can start in Nigeria and make big money. These businesses are all profitable and in high demand, so you are sure to be successful if you choose one of them.
1. Rice Milling: One of the best businesses one can venture into in Nigeria today is parboiled rice production.
Nigerians currently consume over 5 million metric tons, which is equivalent to over 100 million 50Kg bags of rice annually. With the current population growth rate of Nigeria, the consumption of rice is estimated to reach about 35 million metric tons (700 million 50Kg bags) by the year 2050.
As it stands, the current producers of good quality rice in the country cannot even meet up to 50% of the current demand. This is the reason why the market is flooded with poorly produced and low quality rice.
New entrants into the rice milling industry that can produce good quality parboiled rice will have an evergreen market waiting to be sold to.
2. Drinking Water Production: Another good business that does very well in Nigeria is drinking water production (Bottled water and Sachet Water).
The growth of the middle class in Africa in general, and Nigeria to be specific, has led to a need for hygienically produced and well packaged food products like bottled water.
The market for packaged water is high and cut across all parts of the country. With a population of over one hundred and eighty million (180,000,000) people, and an estimated national population growth is 5.7% per annum, Nigeria has a large and sustainable market for packaged water.
3. Maize Flour Production: This is another business that you can quickly setup and make good money with.
Maize can be processed into several products including Maize Flour, Maize Grits. Starch, etc.
With few producers focusing on the production of maize flour in Nigeria, there exists a large gap that needs to be filled by aspiring entrepreneurs in the country. This supply gap will continue to grow as the population of the country grows.
4. Cooking Oil Production: The production of Cooking oil, also called Vegetable oil is yet another viable business you can quickly set up and make good money in Nigeria.
The present production level of Vegetable Oil in Nigeria is yet to meet the demand of Nigerians. There is currently a ban on the importation of vegetable oil into the country. The ban was placed in order to encourage local producers to expand their operations, and new investors to go into the production of Vegetable Oil. This has made the business very lucrative.
5. Garri Production: Garri is a common staple food widely consumed by Nigerians. Garri is creamy-white, granular flour with a slightly fermented flavor and a slightly sour taste made from fermented, gelatinised fresh cassava tubers. It is the most widely traded cassava product, accounting for more than 75 percent of produce extracted from cassava.
The annual national demand for garri is estimated to be about 1,000,000 tonnes while the national supply estimate is about 250,000.
The by-product obtained from the production of garri is called ‘cassava peels’. cassava peels are mostly used as an ingredient in the production of feeds for poultry, cattle and other livestock.
6. High quality Cassava Flour Production: High quality cassava flour (HQCF) is simply unfermented cassava flour. It can be used as a partial replacement for many bakery and pasta products. High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) can be used as an alternative for starch and other imported materials such as wheat flour in a variety of industries in many countries in Africa. Uses of HQCF include raw material for the production of glucose syrups, industrial alcohol and bakery products, the production of adhesives, as an extender for plywood glues and as a source of starch in textile sizing.
The annual national demand for High Quality Cassava Flour {HQCF} is estimated at 750,000 tonnes while the national supply estimate is about 50,000 tonnes.
The by-product obtained from the production of HQCF is called ‘cassava peels’. cassava peels are mostly used as an ingredient in the production of feeds for poultry, cattle and other livestock.
7. Cassava Chips Production: Cassava chips/pellets are unfermented white dried products of cassava with an average diameter of 0.8-3cm often used as a carbohydrate base in the animal feed industry particularly in Asia, Europe, America and the Middle East. It is also milled to produce flour for bakery, starch and adhesive production. Cassava chips are also widely used in the production of industrial ethanol.
The demand for Cassava Chips as an industrial product is wide. It cuts across so many industries such as distilleries, pharmaceuticals, food and most especially the animal feed industry.
The by-product obtained from the production of cassava chips is called ‘cassava peels’. cassava peels are mostly used as an ingredient in the production of feeds for poultry, cattle and other livestock.
8. Amala Flour Production: Yam (Amala) flour is flour obtained from fermented yam tubers. The flour is creamy-brown in colour, and it is used in the preparation of a popular Nigerian dish called Amala. Amala is so popular that it is served in almost all restaurants across the country.
The annual national demand for good quality amala flour is estimated to be 350,000 tones while the national supply estimate is just about 150,000.
9. Instant Pounded Yam flour Production: Instant pounded yam flour is the flour obtained when parboiled yam is dried and milled. The flour is creamy white in colour and is used in the preparation of a popular African dish called Pounded-Yam.
The annual national and international demand for Instant Pounded Yam Flour is estimated to be over 500,000 tons.
There is currently a large shortfall in supply of the product for both the domestic and international market.
The supply gap has continued to expand as the population of the country grows and as a result of the rural urban drift in the country.
10. Bean Flour Production: Bean flour is a flour obtained from peeling and milling dried beans. Beans flour is creamy in colour and it is used as a protein source in human food across the world. Bean flour is used in the preparation of many Nigerian – African dishes, including Akara (Bean cake), Moin-Moin (Boiled Bean Paste), etc.
There is high demand for beans flour in Nigeria and also in the international market. Producers of bean flour can choose to supply the domestic Nigerian market and its neighbouring countries, or choose to supply the international markets especially those regions with large numbers of Africans in Diaspora, such as Europe, America, etc.
The annual national demand estimate for bean flour is over 600,000 tonnes while the current level of supply is about 20% of the estimated demand.
11. Plantain Flour Production: Plantain flour is flour obtained from milling unripe plantain. Plantains are a staple food in the tropical regions of the world. It is rich in iron, Ascorbic acid(Vitamin C), carotene and other vitamins. Plantain flour is lower in calories than regular all-purpose flour.
Plantain Flour Helps in Lowering Cholesterol and Controlling Blood Sugar. Plantain flour is a natural source of resistant starch that helps to reduce blood glucose levels, so it is considered an excellent ingredient for food fortification.
The demand for plantain flour is increasing daily, especially with the increasing reported cases of diabetes; therefore, the degree of need; health considerations, and rising standard of living contribute in no small measure to the rising demand for plantain flour.
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12. Sorghum Flour Production: Sorghum flour is a flour obtained from milling dried sorghum grains. It is used in industries such as for animal feed production, and popularly used as a substitute flour in place of other staples and cereal flour. It is usually prepared and eaten as ‘‘swallow’’ which is similar to Semovita, Semolina, Grinded Rice (Tuwo) etcetera. It is also consumed in Mali, Niger, Cameroun, and some other west African countries.
The by-product obtained from the production of maize flour is called Sorghum bran. Sorghum bran is mostly used as an ingredient in the production of feeds for poultry, cattle and other livestock.
13. Dry Split Ginger Production: Dry split ginger is simply ginger that has been splitted and dehydrated. Splitting is done to accelerate the drying time and to reduce the growth of mold in the product. The list of ginger uses is almost endless, being a pungent spicy herb and one of the more popular food spices. They range from baked products like gingerbread, ginger biscuits, and ginger cookies to drinks like ginger tea, ginger beer, ginger ale, etc.
The market for dry split ginger is very large, especially in the international market like Asia, Europe, Middle East and America. The market is expanding and sustainable because of the numerous uses of ginger.
14. Egg Powder production: Egg powder is simply eggs that have been fully dehydrated. They are made using spray drying in the same way powdered milk is made. When the powder is mixed with water, it produces liquid eggs, which can then be used just like fresh eggs. It can be fried and eaten. With or without mixing with water, the powder can be added to confectioneries before baking or other forms of cooking.
With just about 2 functioning egg powder manufacturing companies in Nigeria, Nigerian egg powder users have no option than to import most of the products as the companies are unable to meet up with the demand.
15. Palm Oil Production: Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the flesh of the fruit of oil palm trees, the scientific name is Elaeis guineensis. Palm Oil is a major food source for both domestic consumers for local dishes (80 percent of demand) as well as industrial consumers (20 percent), who require palm oil for various food and household items.
The total consumption of palm oil in Nigeria was estimated to be 1.6 million metric tonnes in 2018, with production output at about 900,000MT. Consumption is expected to reach over two million metric tonnes in the next 10 years by 2030, with a potential supply gap of up to one million metric tonnes.
As the edible oil market has grown into a multi billion naira industry, so has the opportunity for small and medium oil mills/refineries to produce and supply products to the ever demanding and growing market.
16. Margarine Production: Margarine is a processed food that is designed to taste and look similar to butter. It is often recommended as a heart-healthy replacement. Modern types of margarine are made from vegetable oils, which contain polyunsaturated fats that can lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol when used instead of saturated fat.
Increasing adoption of bakery and confectionery products among all the age groups in Nigeria is expected to positively influence the market growth of margarine in the upcoming years.
17. Smoked Fish production: Smoked fish is fish that has been cured by smoking. Foods have been smoked by humans throughout history. Fish is an important source of protein for humans across the world. In most cases, fish is relatively cheaper and healthier than meat obtained from other animals.
Fish smoking/drying is a popular method of fish preservation all over the world. Smoking of fish is generally done for the unique taste and flavour imparted by the smoking process.
The demand for fish and fish products in Nigeria is wide. Fish is consumed all over the country cutting across all traditional and religious boundaries. The by-product of fish processing is used in the animal feed production industry.
18. Onion Paste Production: Onion paste is paste obtained from blending and processing onions into a semi liquid state. Onions are vegetables that are used in food preparation in most parts of the world. Onions are a perishable commodity and cannot be stored for a long time after harvest in ordinary conditions. Instead of the crop rotting away without any benefit, it can be processed into a wide variety of products including onion paste.
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Majority of onion paste available in the Nigerian market are imported. Anyone that ventures into onion paste production now will have a first mover advantage, and will struggle to meet up with the demand for the product.
19. Tomato Paste Production: Tomato paste is a thick paste made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content, straining out the seeds and skins, and cooking the liquid again to reduce the base to a thick, rich concentrate.
Domestic production of tomato paste is still not sufficient to meet the domestic demand. Hence, the country continues to rely on tomato paste importation to meet the existing gap.
20. Custard Powder Production: Custard is a yellow (golden) powdery substance. Custard powder is a flavored corn starch with added colour and can also be fortified with vitamins or protein to increase the nutritional value. Custard is a good substitute for breakfast cereals such as Quaker-oats, Cornflakes, Ogi and other ready-to-serve cereals. Nutritionally, custard is a source of digestible carbohydrate for cheap energy supply and dietary fibre. Custard is obtained in dry form with a shelf life of over one year.
The custard powder industry in Nigeria is huge, and grows as the population of the country grows. The demand for custard powder cuts across age, religion, ethnic, gender and social strata.
Estimates show that Nigerians consume over five (5) billion naira worth of custard powder daily.
Culled from PlanBiz.com
Hope to get updated news for the progress of our farmers,l am a field worker in agriculture jobs and food science by qualify
Thank you very much. we look forward to your responses.