Starting Plantain Chips Business in Nigeria
Plantain chips business in Nigeria is attractive for starters since plantain chip is a popular snack in this country. The trends of globalization promote the consumption of Western-style Fast Foods in Nigeria. Along with the entry of world-famous Fast Food chains, and the large numbers of local restaurants that also do similar business, Nigerian plantain chips market is boosting. Every year about 4,575 tonnes of plantain chips are produced, while the demand is about 5,250 tonnes. As a result, the plantain chips production in Nigeria cannot meet the demand.
Nigerian Plantain Production
Nigeria ranks fifth in the world for plantain production with 3,088,938 tonnes in 2016, while the harvest area is 477,304 hectares. The plantain producing states are Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Oshun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Bayelsa, Abia, and Ebonyi. Both Bini (Gbagbo) and French (Pambula) cultivars are good varieties of plantain for chips production while Bini cultivar is preferable for the chips’ quality and yield.
Target Market for Nigerian Plantain Chips
Plantain is one of the cultivars of the genus Musa. They are typically cooked or processed before being eaten, which is different from the soft and sweet banana that are typically eaten raw. As one of the major high fiber rich foods, plantain can relieve many diseases. It is rich in vitamins and protein and has a low fat and sodium content.
With a population of more than 165 million people, Nigeria has a large market for plantain chips. People in urban and semi-urban areas are the main consumers. Children, teenagers, young and old people alike are the target market for plantain chips in Nigeria. Hotels, restaurants, canteens and army establishments are large customers requiring chips in significant quantities.
Plantain ChipsProduction in Nigeria
To make plantain chips in Nigeria, you need a set of plantain chips making machines. The small plantain chips production line is a good start. The line involves plantain slicing, blanching, dewatering, frying, plantain chips deoiling, flavoring, and packing.
