Potato Chips Market in Kenya

Potato Farming In Kenya

Potatoes are the second most important food crop after maize in Kenya. Its production has also increased during last few years. The production in 2004 was 1,084,412 tons, but in 2013 the production reached 2,500,000 tons. The yield of potatoes in Kenya rose up to 185,185.19 kg per hectare in 2013 from 61,769.91 kg per hectare in 2000.
The main potato production area are in the highlands of the Central, Eastern and Rift Valley regions and on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Mount Elgon in Western Kenya is also prominent production area.


Potato Chips Market In Kenya
In Kenya, potato is mostly cultivated by smallholders. According to the National Potato Council of Kenya, there are 800,000 potato growers in the country. For the estimated 158,000 hectares potato cultivated land, about 83% belongs to small holders who engage in 0.2 to 0.4 hectares, and the rest belongs to larger-scale farmers who engage in 2-10 hectares.
A survey conducted in the year 2009-2010 indicated that there are totally 24 brands of crisps available in Kenya. About 90% of crisps processors were small and medium enterprises. About 64% identified the main constraints as lack of suitable potatoes and due to poor quality, 43% indicated finance shortage to increase production volume, while about 4% as lack of proper equipment and market.


Potatoes Suitable for Processing
Potato crisps are a major snack food in Kenya. As the survey mentioned above indicated, the varieties suitable for processing into potato crisps are Dutch Robjin, Tigoni, Kenya Baraka and the clones 393371.58, 392657.8, 391691.96 and 393385.39 as they have desired physical characteristics with low levels of reducing sugars. Among them Dutch Robjin is currently used mostly, while the high yielding Variety Tigoni can produce equally good quality crisps. And the clones 391691.96 and 393385.39 were comparable to Dutch Robjin.

High Profit

The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) has organized a groups of 20 farmers to process potato crisps. They buy a bag of potatoes at Ksh 2,500 ($ 29.41) and cut cut, dry, fry and sell each packet of crisps at Ksh 20 ($ 0.24). Each bag of potatoes generates Ksh 6,600 ($ 77.65), a profit of Ksh 4,100 ($ 48). By using our potato chips production line, you can supply larger markets with high quality chips.


Potato Chips Making Machine from Us
Although we also provide automatic potato chips production line, the semi-automatic line is a good start for a beginner. The smallest capacity is 30kg/h, while 60kg/h is the most popular. The line involves potato washing and peeling, cutting, blanching, dewatering, frying, deoiling, flavoring and packing. If you need potato chips making equipment, please write to us.

Contact Email: potatochipsmachinery@gmail.com

Making Plantain Chips in Nigeria

With the rapid increasing of urbanization and urban people’s demand for easy and convenient foods, the consumption of plantain in Nigeria has risen tremendously in these years. Plantain chip, which is a popular snack in Nigeria, has a huge market potential in this country.

Brief Idea of Plantain
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. 
Plantain Production
Nigeria is one of the largest plantain producing countries in the world. In 2012, Nigeria has a plantain production of 2,800,00 tonnes, which ranked 6th in the world with a share of 7.5%. Its 456,000 hectare harvested area accounts for 8.4 percent in the world, ranking the second after Uganda. 
In Nigeria, plantain is produced in these states: Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Oshun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Bayelsa, Abia and Ebonyi.

Varieties for Chips
Both Bini (agbagba) and French (pambola) cultivars are good varieties of plantain for chips production while Bini cultivar is preferable for chips’ the quality and yield. 
Target Market
With a population of over 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. Hotels, restaurants, canteens and army establishments are large customers requiring chips in significant quantities.

Increasing Demand VS. Insufficient Supply
The trends of globalization promotes 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 market is boosting.
Every year about 4,575 tonnes of plantain chips is produced, while the demand of the plantain chips is about 5,250 tonnes. The production can not meet the demand. 
Starting Plantain Chips Business
To start plantain chips business, you need a set of plantain chips making machines. Semi-automatic plantain chips line is a good start. There are common capacity models but customize is available. The line involves banana slicing, blanching, dewatering, frying, deoiling, flavoring and packing.

Contact Email: potatochipsmachinery@gmail.com

Potato Chips Industry in India

Potato was introduced into India in the late 16th and early 17th centuries by Portuguese traders or British missionaries. Today, India is the second largest potato producer in the world, with the production in 2013 of 45,343,600 tonnes harvested on 1,992,200 hectares areas. The potato processing industry is expanding fast in India especially the snack foods sector, including potato chips. 
The Resource Advantages of Processing Chips in India
Abundant Raw Potatoes
Since 1960, potato production in India increased by almost 850%.
Trends in Area, Production and Productivity (1949-50 to 2010-11)

Potato Producing Districts
Indo-Gangetic plain grow potatoes during the short winter days from October to March due to the hot summers and short winters. Some year-round production takes place in relatively high altitude areas in the south.
Main Potato Producing Districts in India and the Share(2012-2013)

Varieties of Potatoes in India
Intriguing aspect of the potato supply chain in India is the strong vertical integration. Companies developing suitable varieties of potatoes, such as, ITC, Merino Industries, CPRI, offer a lot of promise for the future potato processing potential in India.
Varieties Suitable for Processing Potato Chips and Fries

Potato Processing Industry In India
Potato processing was negligible in India at the beginning of the 21st century. However, this was a turning point when the industry began to take great strides. The snack foods sector, including potato chips, is developing most rapidly. The snack food market in India is reported to be growing at 7 to 8 % annually. And potato chips are estimated to constitute nearly 85% of total salty snack food market, showing an annual growth rate of 17% which ranks second after French fries(20%).

Contact Email: potatochipsmachinery@gmail.com

Ukraine Potato Chips Industry

Ukraine Potato Production

Ukraine is the forth potato producer in the world, after China, India and Russian. In Ukraine, potatoes are planted at over 1.4 million hectares. To 1 October 2014, Ukraine harvested 23.3 million MT of potatoes, which is 2 million MT (9.4%) more than in 2013. During 2011-2012, more than 75% of potato production is consumed at home or distributed within family, relatives and friends, 7-8% go directly to supermarkets, and only 1% is exported.

Potato Varieties in State Register of Ukraine
Potato varieties produced varies from year to year. In 2013, there are totally 152 varieties in the National Register, compared with 100 varieties in 2002. Among them, 79 are Ukrainian varieties and the remain 73 are foreign varieties. Ukrainian origin accounts for 52%, while Dutch varieties represent 23% and German varieties represent 22%. There are more demand for red varieties.

Potato Processing Market Situation
Limited Potato Processing
As potato prices in Ukraine is extremely low, so potato processing is concerned. However, the potatoes utilized rate for processing in Ukraine is extremely small. During 2011- 2012, the potato processing represented no more than 3.5% of total production volume. This is attributed to several

reasons, including low quality of potatoes, high cost of energy resources, low storage capacity, lack of support from State and high financing cost. Kraft Foods Ukraine remains the only large manufacturer of chips in the country.
Imports of Potato Snacks
Growing consumption of snacks in Ukraine together with relatively low competition among domestic manufacturers cause the increasing imports of potato chips. According to State Statistics Service of Ukraine, Ukraine imported totally 7,800 tons of potato chips and snack in January-November 2013, which increases 30% compared with the whole year 2012. Imports from Russia increased 12 times than the previous season, while imports from Poland were relatively stable and remained higher than that of Russian ones.

Potato Chips Production Line
Our semi-potato chips production line features low investment, low energy consumption and multi-functions. It is suitable for low scale potato chips production, with the minimum capacity being 30kg per hour. As for energy saving, the electric fryer can save 40% electricity. Besides, we also provide coal-heated fryer. The line can not only process potatoes, but can also process sweet potato, carrot and cassava, etc.

Contact email: potatochipsmachinery@gmail.com

Uganda Plantain Chips Industry

Plantains are a type of banana. Its fruits are edible, and they are firmer and starchier and usually eaten as a savory dish. Plantains are very common in Uganda being the staple food for many people.

Plantain Production in Uganda
Uganda is the largest producer with 9.2 million metric tons compared with the second largest producer, Ghana, with about 3.55 million metric tons. Other important producers are Rwanda, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Colombia. The following picture shows the Uganda’s plantain production quantity from the year 1961 to 2012.

Consumption Of Plantain in Uganda
Uganda is the highest per capita consumption of banana/plantain in the world. Africans consume 21 kg of banana and plantain per capita per year, while Ugandans consume 191 kg per year, more than half of one kg per day. 
Plantains can be prepared in a variety of ways. In Uganda they are usually peeled and wrapped in the plant leaves. Then steamed for a couple of hours. They are usually served smashed in a fresh leave and eaten with a sauce made of vegetables, ground peanuts or some type of meat. Apart from cooking it, plantains are also fried or baked in Uganda. It is great with fish, meats, soups or eggs.

Market Potential Of Plantain
Plantain has a huge market acceptance partly for its nutritional value and the versatility of its derivatives, which increase the market potential of plantain. Plantain business is worth investing for it has lot of self-diversification lines with specific market demands.

Methods Of Plantain Chips Production

a, Semi-Automated Method 
The semi-automated method is suitable for small scale plantain chips production. The machines that needed are plantain slicing machine, blanching machine, de-watering machine, frying machine, de-oiling machine, flavoring machine and packing machine. This will largely improve the efficiency of the production.
b, Automated Method
This method is suitable for large scale plantain chips production. The whole line includes slicing machine, chips hoister, chips rinsing line, blanching machine, dewatering machine, electricity heated frying line, chips de-oiling line, chips flavoring machine, picking line, and packing machine. You can also choose the capacity of production line.

More information about plantain chips production, please email to potatochipsmachinery@gmail.com