Have you ever wondered why big companies such as Coca-Cola, Chivita, Leventis foods, and others are thriving in Nigeria?
The answer is simple!
Nigeria is one of the biggest markets in the world and one of the highest consumers of fruit juice globally. It’s not a wrong step if you decide to venture into this kind of business.
So in this post today, I will teach how to start your fruit juice business that will grow into a profitable one.
Let’s dive into it.
Things You Need to Get Started
The business is a capital-intensive one. But the good news is that you can start small and grow from there.
First, you need to decide the type of fruit juice you will produce.
Something that must be simple and of high quality. This will help build your brand and attract people to your products.
Second, you need a business plan that will clearly state the type of juice you will be producing.
Having a business plan will help you convincingly attract investors to invest, get grants, and get loans from banks, especially from the Bank of Industry (BOI).
Starting Fruit Juice Business in Nigeria
Let’s consider the things you have to do to start this business:
1: Get the business registered and licensed
This is the first you need to do after setting up your factory and other things. This will help you avoid getting into any trouble with any government body concerning your business.
First, register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Doing this will help you operate as a company.
Second, it’s to get licensed by these government bodies such as NAFDAC, SON, Ministry of health, and NHIS.
Visit their websites to learn more about their procedures.
2: Source for raw materials
Fruits are the major raw materials for the business. You must know where to get these at a reduced price.
One good thing about this is that you can get these fruits in Nigeria and they include but are not limited to the following:
- Pawpaw
- Oranges
- Pineapple
- Mangoes
- Guava
- Lemon
- Lime, etc.
3: Equipment
You can operate do this business without the following equipment:
- Generator
- Boiler
- Filling machine
- Filter press
- Blending tank
- Fruit washing tank
- Extractor
- Cutting boards
- Peeler
- Knives (stainless steel)
- Overhead tank, etc.
4: Business location
Where you will locate your business will matter a lot. Some locations might help grow your business or stunt the growth.
So choose your business wisely!
However, I recommend that you go for a location that has these two features:
- A location that’s close to the raw materials
- And a location that’s close to your target market.
Considering these two factors will help you run your business smoothly and make the expected profits as well. It will help you avoid spending too much money on transportation.
5: Market the business
Marketing starts with you producing quality products and this must not be tapered. It will help you build a brand around your business, that people will come to know as a quality brand.
Never cut corners just to make more money at the expense of your business.
Next, is product packaging. This makes your products look good. The first thing that people see is a good package and they will likely buy it.
Get an e-commerce website and social media accounts to promote your products.
Make sure that the video and image content looks great. It will play a major role in how you will sell online.
The point is to network. Step out and meet owners or managers of supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and fast food joints to supply them with your products.
6: Boost your sales by finding a local supplier
This is a great way of boosting the sales of your business by selling exotic fruits. It’s a way of buying fruits in bulk that are difficult to get in the market and reselling them to make a profit.
If you reside in Lagos, the Ijora market is a perfect place to get fresh fruits. The suppliers will teach you how to preserve them.
7: Maintain good customer relationship
Your customers are the reason why you’re in business and if you can’t develop a good relationship with them. You’re out of business.
As your business grows with your customer base increasing. I recommend that you know your customers by having their numbers and address.
Set in place a system that helps in nurturing and maintaining the relationship for long-lasting loyalty.
Always be quick to reply to customers’ inquiries both offline and online. You have to be engaging with your customers on your posts by replying to them individually.
Conclusion
The fruit juice business is a profitable one. The rate at which drinks are consumed in this country is very high. But it doesn’t mean that you will fold your hands without doing anything.
You must give it your time, energy, and resources to turn your business into a profitable one. You must always think outside the box by being creative and innovative. Make sure that your customers get excellent products and services from you.
I’d like to hear from you on how you start your fruit juice business.
