Find out detailed the Analysis of Starch Market in Nigeria – Breakdown, Facts, Opportunities, Profitability in this post.
Starch is an important part of the human diet and probably has lots of beneficial properties that is very useful. It is obtained from cereals, potatoes, rice, wheat, maize, cassava, yam and flour among others.
Analysis of Starch Market in Nigeria
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Starch belongs to the carbohydrate class of food and its functions extends to usage in stiffening of textile fabrics in laundering.
Its importance cannot be overemphasized and neither can it be ignored as it is highly valuable in industries such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, food, paper sizing and bonding, adhesives, oil well drilling, drinks and beverages, confectionery, textile sizing and strengthening, battery, chemical and household products manufacturing and so on.
The demand for starch is gradually growing in the Nigeria market as it is a source of food for natives and the teeming populace in the country and also it is used in washing of clothes.
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It also finds excessive usage in non-food products such as thickening agent, wheat paste, glue, stiffening agent, stabilizer and paper.
There are different kinds of starch globally but in reference to Nigeria, the starch in demand is the cassava starch as it has remarkable qualities including its clarity in paste, its freeze thaw stability and its high paste viscosity which offers many advantages to many industries.
In production, industries sort that unique quality that would give that excellent output and as such starch that has high level of purity, excellent thickening properties, desirable textural qualities, bland taste and cheap source of raw material to obtain are the advantageous qualities of the cassava starch to this industries as they sort to produce the best.
Starch is often a highly sought after commodity both by consumers and manufacturers and as such it is gaining prominence in the Nigeria market. It is estimated that the Nigeria’s starch needs runs into several thousands of tonnes annually worth billions of naira.
In Nigeria, the cassava starch is preferred over the corn starch as it is the driving force to conserve foreign exchange and reduce import dependency as the cassava starch is the partial substitution for corn starch in user industries.
Starch production and the sales of starch related products can help to boost the country’s economy. Starch and the products derived from it have become important components for weaving and finishing of textiles, production of paper and glue and the fermentation industry.
Starch is really an important raw material for manufacturers and also very important to consumers as food or stiffening agent
For clothes in laundering as was earlier stated in the article. It should also be noted that most sugars are derivative of starch and that proves how useful starch is in general.
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Starch is also important in the making of drugs and this will have to do with the native starch which can be processed locally.
Starch plays active role in tablets acting as both dusting and coating agent and also a binder for the pharmaceutically active components of the tablets. It is also used as a binder and filler in powder formulations.
Breakdown of Starch Market in Nigeria
How is starch made?
Since we all know that starch is obtained from potatoes, maize, cassava, yam, rice, cereals, wheat, etc. It should also be known that starch can be made from any of them.
What Is The Importance Of Starch?
Starch is not only an important part of the human diet but also used in adhesives as fillers and stiffeners for paper and textiles. It is also used for making drugs that can help health wise.
The Process of Making Starch?
The ingredients needed to make starch are cassava tubers and water and that is if cassava is what you intend to use to make the starch. The quantity of cassava would depend on the quantity of starch you want to make.
The Making Of Starch Is Done Through The Following Process Or Steps:
- Peel the cassava tubers.
- Rinse with water.
- Cut it into smaller pieces.
- Blend the cut pieces in the blender using as little water as possible.
- Separate the chaff from the cassava blend using a chiffon cloth and rinse with clean water till all the starch has been washed off the chaff.
- Leave the starch in the bowl for a duration of three hours so that the starch will settle at the bottom of the bowl. When settled, the clear water would be on top while the starch will be at the bottom.
- Pour out the clear water and pour the watery starch into a muslin bag.
- Leave it in the muslin bag for the water to be completely drained.
- After the starch has been completely dehydrated, you can start the drying process or you can decide for it to be solidified. Either way, it is your choice.
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The Benefits Of Starch?
Starch used as a stiffening agent for fabrics in laundering is beneficial as it makes ironing of such fabric easier and faster. It also helps to remove wrinkles from the fabric, protects the fabric from stains and extend the life of the fabric.
Starch used for other purposes also has its own benefits.
Facts about Starch Market in Nigeria
Due to the important features of starch, it is highly demanded by both manufacturers and consumers which has led to great prospect of the starch market in Nigeria. Starch is not only relevant locally but also globally.
Starch market has contributed to the economic development of the country if not massively but entrepreneurs who are into starch production business has been able to testify of its opportunities and profitability has the result of the yields can been seen in their quota of contributing to the economic development of the country by providing job opportunities and also opening an avenue for upcoming entrepreneurs to venture into the line of business.
Though immediate and extended families have an inkling of the use of starch because of it is widely known for making their clothes look nice which when worn would make them look smart and as such starch is not foreign and even petty traders sell these starch.
Opportunities in Starch Market in Nigeria
The opportunities in the starch business is not farfetched has the demand for starch is on the rise and as such it creates income-generating opportunities for youths and small farmers respectively and also employment opportunities to reduce the level of poverty in the country.
Profitability of Starch Market in Nigeria
There is huge profitability in the starch business and looking at the starch market in Nigeria, the high demand for starch brings about this profitability.
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Conclusion
Starch has discussed in this article is very important and its importance is known globally dominating the market due to its high demand and it unique features.