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Root & tuber

Cassava: what can it become?

A staple root that spoils quickly after harvest but can become many shelf-stable products.

  1. Raw cassava
  2. Processing
  3. Value-added products
  4. Packaging
  5. Markets
  6. Customers

Fresh cassava roots deteriorate fast after harvest, so selling them raw leaves little time or bargaining power. Processing turns a perishable root into products that can be stored, packaged and sold over time.

What can cassava become?

Garri

Fermented, roasted granules eaten widely in West Africa.

Processing
Peeling, washing, grating, fermenting and pressing, sieving, then roasting.
Equipment
  • Peeling and washing area
  • Grater
  • Press
  • Sieve
  • Roasting pan or roaster
Packaging
Clean, dry, food-safe bags with clear labelling; moisture protection matters.
Storage
Dry, cool, off-the-floor storage away from pests and damp.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Open-market traders
  • Retailers
  • Schools and institutions
Distribution
Direct to market traders, local shops, or through a wholesaler.
Possible business models
  • Own small processing unit
  • Contract processing for farmers
  • Buy-process-resell

Cassava flour

A dried, milled flour used in baking and cooking.

Processing
Peeling, grating or chipping, dewatering, drying, then milling and sieving.
Equipment
  • Chipper or grater
  • Press
  • Dryer or drying racks
  • Mill
  • Sieve
Packaging
Moisture-resistant food-grade packs with batch information.
Storage
Dry, ventilated store; flour absorbs moisture easily.
Customer types
  • Bakeries
  • Food manufacturers
  • Households
  • Supermarkets
Distribution
Directly to bakeries and manufacturers, or via distributors.
Possible business models
  • Branded flour
  • Supply to bakeries
  • Toll milling for others

Dried chips

Sun- or machine-dried cassava pieces that are an intermediate product.

Processing
Peeling, chipping, drying to a stable moisture level.
Equipment
  • Chipper
  • Drying racks or dryer
  • Storage bags
Packaging
Breathable but pest-resistant bags for bulk sale.
Storage
Dry storage; protect from mould and insects.
Customer types
  • Flour millers
  • Starch and feed makers
Distribution
Bulk sale to processors, often through aggregation.
Possible business models
  • Aggregate and sell chips
  • Drying service for farmers

Starch

Extracted starch used in food, textiles, paper and other industries.

Processing
Grating, washing and separating starch from fibre, settling, then drying.
Equipment
  • Grater
  • Sieving or separation setup
  • Settling tanks
  • Dryer
Packaging
Moisture-proof bags sized for the buyer (small retail or industrial bulk).
Storage
Cool, dry, clean storage.
Customer types
  • Food and beverage makers
  • Industrial users
  • Households
Distribution
Direct contracts with manufacturers or via distributors.
Possible business models
  • Supply to industry
  • Retail starch under own brand

Animal feed ingredient

Peels, chips and by-products can be an ingredient in animal feed once properly processed.

Processing
Drying and processing by-products; suitability and safety must be validated before selling.
Equipment
  • Dryer
  • Mill
  • Mixer
Packaging
Labelled feed bags with ingredient information.
Storage
Dry, pest-protected storage.
Customer types
  • Livestock and poultry farmers
  • Feed mills
Distribution
Via feed retailers or direct to larger farms.
Possible business models
  • By-product sales
  • Supply to feed mills

The customers, routes to market, business models and many practical tips on this page are suggestions, not findings. Know something better? Suggest an improvement →

Business opportunities around cassava

Examples describe possibilities, not guaranteed results. Prices, demand and rules vary by country and season — verify locally.