oc2much@yahoo.com1. Overview
Soy milk is a highly nutritious plant-based drink rich in protein, calcium, and essential vitamins. With the rising awareness of health, lactose intolerance, and vegan diets in Nigeria, soy milk has become increasingly popular in homes, gyms, and local markets.
Starting a DIY soy milk production business is affordable, scalable, and high-demand, making it a perfect small-scale venture. With minimal equipment and raw materials, a home-based operator can generate ₦150,000 per month by selling to households, shops, and local eateries.
This business combines health benefits, low startup cost, and strong local market demand, offering an ideal entry point for aspiring entrepreneurs.
2. Market Opportunity
- Target customers: Households, schools, gyms, cafés, and local stores.
- Trend: Rising health consciousness, lactose intolerance awareness, and plant-based diets.
- Competition: Moderate; most soy milk is imported or mass-produced. Homemade brands have an edge in freshness and affordability.
- Growth potential: High; you can expand into flavored soy milk, soy yogurt, or bulk supply to supermarkets and cafes.
Selling fresh, hygienic, and affordable soy milk fills a local gap and attracts repeat customers.
3. Startup Cost Breakdown (₦)
| Item | Cost (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soybeans (initial stock) | 5,000 | Enough for 1–2 weeks of production |
| Blender / grinder | 10,000 | For grinding soaked soybeans |
| Cooking pot / boiler | 5,000 | For boiling the milk |
| Strainer / cheesecloth | 2,000 | Separates milk from soybean pulp |
| Packaging bottles / jars | 5,000 | Small reusable or disposable containers |
| Marketing & branding | 3,000 | Flyers, social media ads, WhatsApp promotions |
| Miscellaneous | 2,000 | Water, sugar, stabilizers |
| Total Startup Cost | ₃2,000 |
Tip: Start with ₦20,000–₦25,000 to minimize risk and gradually increase production as demand grows.
4. How to Earn ₦150,000 Monthly
Revenue comes from direct sales to consumers, local retailers, and small eateries.
- Pricing example:
- 250ml bottle: ₦200–₦300
- 500ml bottle: ₦400–₦500
- Customer base:
- Sell 50 bottles/day × ₦300 = ₦15,000 daily
- Monthly revenue: ₦15,000 × 25 working days = ₦375,000
- Operating costs:
- Soybeans, packaging, sugar, and water: ₦200,000/month
- Net profit: ₦150,000/month
- Scaling potential:
- Add flavored soy milk options (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry)
- Supply schools, gyms, and cafés for bulk orders
- Offer subscriptions for regular delivery
5. Step-by-Step Business Guide
- Source quality soybeans: Purchase from local markets or farms for freshness.
- Soak and grind: Soak soybeans overnight, then blend into a smooth paste.
- Boil and strain: Boil the blended mixture and strain through cheesecloth to get smooth soy milk.
- Flavor and sweeten: Add sugar, natural flavors, or stabilizers to improve taste.
- Package and label: Use hygienic bottles with proper labeling.
- Marketing & sales: Use WhatsApp, social media, local markets, and neighborhood stores.
- Scale gradually: Increase production, diversify flavors, and consider bulk supply.
6. Challenges & Tips
Challenges:
- Maintaining freshness without preservatives
- Consistent taste and quality
- Competition from imported brands
Tips:
- Produce daily batches to ensure freshness
- Educate customers about soy milk’s health benefits
- Maintain proper hygiene to prevent spoilage
- Offer small sample packs to attract new customers
7. Profit Projection
| Metric | Value (₦) |
|---|---|
| Monthly revenue | 375,000 |
| Operating costs | 225,000 |
| Net monthly profit | 150,000 |
| Break-even timeline | 1 month |
| ROI first month | 468% |
With expansion into flavored products or bulk sales to cafés, net profit can grow to ₦250,000–₦300,000 per month.
8. Feasibility Verdict
Feasibility: High
- Very low startup cost
- High demand for nutritious drinks
- Scalable with minimal equipment
- Opportunity for direct-to-consumer sales, subscriptions, and bulk supply
9. Conclusion
DIY soy milk production is a low-cost, high-demand, and scalable business in Nigeria. By sourcing quality soybeans, maintaining hygiene, and effectively marketing your product, you can earn ₦150,000 per month from a home-based setup.
This business meets the growing demand for healthy, plant-based beverages while offering a profitable and sustainable small-scale entrepreneurship opportunity.
