Yam business is a very lucrative business that you can make millions of naira from in Nigeria. Agricultural businesses are very profitable which ever way you go into iit, of course you should know that world over food business is a moving business. Yam is a household food and can last longer in store.
It can be processed into flour, chips etc. yam can be boiled, fried, roasted or pounded for consumption. In this post I will be showing you ways of sourcing yam, transportation and selling. These days you can easily locate genuine yam sellers online purchase and get them courier to you”
You can sell yam within Nigeria and make money or export and make more money. Yams are cheap in some locations example Taraba, Benue, Niger etc. this is because these states have yam in abundance. And costly in other locations example; Lagos, Port Harcourt, Delta etc.
To start yam distribution business, you have do a market survey to know the type of yam consumed the most in your location and the price.
For instance, in Akwa Ibom State, Ogoja yam is the most consumed yam. Draw yam business plan so that you will be able to manage the business well, that is what seasoned entrepreneurs do.
To succeed in this business it is ideal for you to start yam business during yam season. Because yam is cheap at that time so with little amount of money you can buy plenty yam.
YAM BUSINESS CAN BE DONE IN TWO WAYS
Dealers: these are traders who buy yam in bulk from 10 kwarai upward that is from 1000 tubers and above. They buy in bulk from farmers and sell at a give away price in the same market.
To do this you have to go to the market very early just about the time farmers will be bringing their yam produce to the market, buy the yams and sell them off immediately or the same day.
RETAILERS: these set of people make so much money in this business. They buy few kwarai of yams from farmers and sell in batches of five or ten to consumers.
SOURCING FOR YAM
You can source for yam anywhere yam is produced in larger quantities. We cannot categorically say yam is cheaper here than there because everything depends on the bargaining power.
Note that it is compulsory for you to pay union fee for buying yams just like it is done in Oron crayfish market, if you don’t pay, they won’t sell for you. The amount for the fee can be negotiated.
Benue State
Zaki Ibiam, Benue State in Nigeria is the biggest yam market in Nigeria. People from all,over Nigeria go to this market to buy yam for commercial purpose. You can get yam in Zaki Ibiam market to buy in large quantities no market the quantity you want at anytime of the year.
There are vehicles that transports yam to any part of the country. Yams are sold in a batch of 100 known as Kwarai. Others are; Gboko and Ugba International Yam markets, in Ugba Local Government. They have species like Agatu, Gbango, paper yam. Gbango is said to be the sweetest yam but cost more than others.
2. Niger State
Yam markets in Niger are; Garatu is a big market in Minna meant mainly for selling of yams. People from other states Bayelsa, Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja go to Garatu to buy yams in bulk from farmers.
The market is just five minutes drive from FUT Minna. (Federal University of Technology, Minna). Other markets are; Serikin pawa, Pwada, Kuta and Beji markets. For every100 yam you buy #1,000 for shop, #300 for loading, #100 for wheelbarrow convergence. A truck of yam will contain about 1300 big yams.
3. Taraba State
Some people will say Taraba State is the best place to source for yam. Yes yam is cheap in Taraba but you have to buy in bulk and not few because you will spend more money to transport them down.
4. Nasarawa State
Nasarawa State is another best place to source for yam, they have Agyeragu market and yam store in Lafia.
Abuja
In Abuja, Bwari market is a good place to buy yam at a very cheap price. During the last season 50 big tubers of yam was sold for #10,000. If you sell each #500 you will get #25,000 assuming transport consumes 5k then 10k becomes yours for the offing.
Some business minded persons goes there to buy and sell in pieces to people that buy one, two, five etc. and make more money. Because those selling in batches don’t retail.
5. Oyo State
Saki, Oyo State is one of the Yoruba States where yam can be bought cheaper and is available in large quantities.
Unlike other places where 100 tubers are regarded as one hand or kwarai in Saki one hand is 120 tubers and they seller may still add some tubers about 4-6 for you after purchase.
The person who sold the yams for you will write your name on them using markers to signify they are yours. Another way is to buy directly from farmers in their home. When you consider transportation it will be better to source yam from where it is closer to you.
![Yam business, yam exportation](https://www.enibest.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/images12.jpg)
TRANSPORTING OF YAM TO YOUR DESTINATION
Different locations have their different prices. There are standby vehicles in all of the mentioned yam markets that will transport yam to any part of the country. Meet the people who are in charge of the vehicles and book down, they will give you ticket and assign you to a vehicle plying your location.
In Saki a full roll of trailer is #15,000. Aside the money you will pay for wheelbarrow, loading and others.
You can come together as buyers and pay for truck to transport it to your destination or a close place where you can from transport to your location.
Trucks most times stops at designated location, it is easy to get trucks to Port Harcourt, Onitsha and Lagos but difficult to get to Akwa Ibom and many other states. That is why Port Harcourt yam market is very big because people from nearby states example Enugu yam traders go there to buy.
Lagos yam business also attracts bulk buyers because many yam distributors prefer mile 12 market because they will always sell no matter the quantity.
SELLING OF YAMS
You can decide to sell your yam anywhere but chose where you can sell fast. In Lagos, mile 12 market is the biggest market, in fact it is the biggest open market in Nigeria. You are not required to join yam association as in other markets so I heard. Because of this you can move around the market and sell as you like but will pay for tickets to offload the yams.
People are always on ground who are in charge to help you sell the yams. They will do the bargaining for you and you sell them off if the offer is good. Buyers will come to your stand whether you call them or not, there is no need to be afraid whether you will sell or not.
PROFITS IN YAM BUSINESS
Profit in yam business depends on the amount you invest in it and the situation of the market. Sometimes you can sell double the amount you bought or a little more. You can make gain of #40,000 from a #100,000 worth of yam you bought or less #20,000 or #15,000.
HOW MUCH IS NEEDED TO START YAM BUSINESS
You can start yam business with any amount, you can buy that of #20,000 for the smaller sizes. But for a good start I will prefer #100,000.
Before now, you can buy a kwarai of yam 9k, 15k and so on but the prices have changed. The price for smaller sizes ranges from #25,000, #30,000 and #35,000.
Medium size is from #45,00-#60,000
Bigger size is from #65,000-120,000. But you should have a higher bargaining power.
Note
Prices will not remain the same all through, it gets higher as we move away from its season.
YAM EXPORTATION BUSINESS
Our brothers and sisters outside the shores of Nigeria crave so much for home food that is why yam exportation business has become a hot cake. Any foodstuff that leaves the shores of Nigeria will bring good returns.
However, to start this business you must have a considerable amount of money because there are criteria to follow.
You have to possess proper certification to be able to attract big contracts from oversea. Your yams must meet international standards, you don’t want what happened to Federal Government last year to happened to you. The yams were rejected and millions of money went down the drain.
The yams should be packaged in cartons, 20kg for each of the cartons.
YAM STORAGE BUSINESS
Yam like many other foodstuffs are seasonal, it will be in abundance between November to December depending on the States. Different state have different times they harvest yams.
The igbos celebrate their new yam festival in August that is why you hear of August meeting. In Benue it is November or there about and so on and so forth for other states.
Food storage business is very lucrative, you buy yam down during the season and sell them off during off season. A yam that is sold for #200 during its season will sale as high as #600 during off season. This is one of the reason why yam business is very lucrative.
Assuming you store #200,000 worth of yam, then in three months time or there about you will have up to #500,000 from it. What happens if the investment is up to a million that means you will make a million naira gain.
If you are thinking of how you will preserve the yam so they will not spoil you have to read my post on yam farming. Preserving is not difficult, that is why we still have them to eat all year round.
YAM FLOUR BUSINESS
Another way of doing yam business is to process yam into flour just like Poundo. Many people don’t want to stress themselves unnecessarily when there are alternatives or options. That is why yam flour will keep selling because it is an easy way of preparing pounded yam meal.
You can establish your yam flour company in an area where you have yam in excess it is an added advantage because you will minimize production cost. If you are interested in this line of business we can partner together.
CONCLUSION
Yam business is profitable but it is for determined persons because many things will discourage you along the line.
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Yam business is good .Am a tiv womam from Benue state.Been doing this business for 9 years now .
@Blessing contact me on 08035965405
Nice write up Eno. I’m impressed with the rich information I gathered from your article. Kudos. I would like to discuss this business in more specific details with you and the chances of a partnership.
Here is mine sologid457@gmail.com
Good day,
Am unto vegetables though but to my supplying system, I want get into yam business to enlarge supplies. And I found this has a very good knowledge to my state up. What can you advise please Eno.
It is a good idea. Go ahead
Eno how are you. Please can you give more detailed information and what it’s takes for yam export Business to Europe or America?
Nice, detailed and transparent write up Eno. Thank you.
hello blessing. i am interested in this business. can we chat on 08095205160. best regards
hello blessing, i want to know how i can preserve yam pls.
Thank you
Hello can we discuss business. I just stumbled on this old post because I’ve been researching on yam distribution business which I’m interested in starting.
Hi. Am interested in yam storage business to sell. I need a supplier to ship them to Lagos. Kindly contact me on 07036831348
Okay@Divine
hello, i can supply you from niger state.
@Fola, Lets chat on 08035965405
Can i call u on this line as a matter of urgency?
Yes please
Hello fola I’ll like to chat with you on whatsapp my number is 08022003600
Oh really? Am interested too.. Your whatsapp number
hey I can supply you from edo state
Your contact
@Chiamaka 08035965405
Hi Eno. I must commend you for this wonderful post. You are instrumental in moving our traditional businesses to the next level. Yam production have been in our family and I’m seeking for ways to facilitate it’s easy marketing through a value driven process. Thanks.
@Danach. Thanks.You can reach me on 08035965405 lets talk
Pls let’s get in touch on 08055061124
Lovely writeup. It’s comprehensive. I’m interested in this business. I would appreciate any further information that would help. Thanks.
Nice write up Eno. I’m impressed with the rich information I gathered from your article. Kudos. I would like to discuss this business in more specific details with you and the chances of a partnership.
Okay @Ochi
Hi Eno am so much glad with your write up about yam business and i will like to discuss with you more on how to start the buisness. Add me on whatsapp with this number (+971529441029) Email:- uchechukwuebighebi@gmail.com
Thanks Eno for the writeup. I will like to start yam business but o still need details information regard the business. My email:ndmoduabuh@gmail.com.
hello Eno i just came across your article and i must say i am impressed. i have done quite a bit of research myself, ive gone to several large yam markets around lagos but i am more interested in setting up a large yam market in a new area. can we chat. add me up on whatsapp on 08095205160. cheers
@Ola my number is 08035965405
Very good write up. I’m really interested in starting this business which was why I read this. Very insightful
Hello eno i want to get intouch with you my number : 09039180283
Hi@Peter my number 08035965405
Great write up especially when white collar Job has failed many of us , thinking of what to do, God direct me to this write up, please I am in Lagos now, how do I start, I need your guidance, I am Tina , my no 07039705152 waiting for your reply thanks
08035965405 my number
Good write up, Im innocent, i love to start this business, im in Edo State, chat me up on this number 07064999492.
Please am interested in going into yam business. I will like to know more about the business. Thanks, add me on wasap 08037173410
Thank you do much for ur article.i will like to start this business i will contact you for more details
Thank you for this article…
I really like the write up,I really want the business by December,2020.pls add me up on WhatsApp. thanks.
I must commend you for the phenomenal write-up on the yam distribution business in Nigeria. You have really enlightened me and I am now incorporating the concept into our commodity trading initiatives. I shall be contacting you shortly. God bless you and enlarge your coast. You are amazing.
Thanks@Dr. Wilson. I appreciate
Very interesting how do I start am in Ilorin kwara state
Hi thanks for this information.
I will like to do it big. Like buying a full truck. So much will I be needing to start up
from 500k
Am interested in the business. Please do you now anyone that can supply to me. Am in Lagos
Hi Esther!
I can supply you am also in lagos.
Am in press and I we like to go into d business.
I would have start last January bt I still in more information abt it. I DNT know if we can talk on whatsapp.
08065466682
contact me on 08155196689
Am Emmanuel frm frm port Harcourt. Have been calling ur number and is nt going. Am interested in dis business. Am calling to no hw to gt contact in benue.
I need to start dis week. So pls I need ur respond pls
sorry i’m seeing this late @Omusuwe but I think we discussed much later. you can always reach me on 08155196689
I will really need someone to guild me through pls, wish to start the business
09063717657
Thank you ma’am for this knowledge this morning ????????
Hello ma’am , am very impressed with your write up. I want to start the business, I need more info on d transportatio. Pls, how can I get suppliers to Sapele, Delta State,
i gave you a contact, how did it go?
Great and timely write up
I’m in Limbe Cameroon and I’ve been thinking about the Nigerian yam business
I really need more information concerning transportation and pricing
Very good write up,am in benue and I want to start The business where I can buy here and supply in Delta or porthacourt
Am interested
Am in kwara state and I want to start this business as soon as possible but am a little bit scare of the unknown
Your location and contact plz
Call me I am in benue state
Intimate me more on marketing yam in Asana Delta State.
Kudos to you. Pls I need your WhatsApp contact, am just thinking going into that business so I need more advice from you. Thanks.
08035965405
Good day ma sir..I’m taiwo by name want to go into yam business I need more support and encouragement on it…I’m texting from ondo and Lagos
Nice! What kind of support, for encouragement, enough of it is on this page. You can ask questions
Good write I want to start it by end of this month. This piece really helped . Do they have direct transport to Aba.
I want to start immediately. So what I want is buying and selling at the same market. I live in Ph. Guide me on this. Which mkt is closer to me as a starter. You will mentor me. Is it the Ogoja market at akwa ibom state or which.
Amaka good morning you can get transport from gboko benue state to aba