[Nigeria] How Much Does a Groundnut Oil Processing Plant Really Cost?

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According to FAO data, Nigeria consistently ranks first in Africa in groundnut production, with an average annual output exceeding 3 million tons, mainly from the northern states of Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano.

Meanwhile, government incentives in agro-processing are strengthening, especially in supporting primary agricultural product processing and export revenue, offering a favorable policy window and market space to build a groundnut oil processing plant. (Read More: Start A Small Groundnut Oil Processing Mill Business>>)

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Build A Profitable Groundnut Oil Mill Plant Project in Nigeria

However, before launching a project, cost remains the core concern for investors—how much does it cost to build a factory? Plant scale, processing technology, and equipment selection significantly impact the overall budget. The following analysis breaks down the real cost structure for setting up a groundnut oil factory in Nigeria from multiple perspectives.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Groundnut Oil Plant in Nigeria?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions from our Nigerian clients. A clear answer depends on the size of the factory, the target market, and whether you plan to grow your own raw materials or buy from the market.

Typically, investment budgets range from $30,000 to $300,000, with differences arising from equipment configurations, construction methods, and raw material processing capacity.

If you’re planning to build a small cold press peanut workshop for local retail, the budget can be kept within tens of thousands of dollars. But if you’re aiming to build a complete edible oil processing line with pre-treatment, pressing, refining, and filling systems for nationwide or export supply, the budget will increase significantly.

Cost of Small, Medium, and Large Groundnut Oil Mill Plants in Nigeria

Choosing different plant scales means substantial differences in equipment, output capacity, construction needs, and labor force. For investors, small-scale plants are easier to start, while medium-to-large factory offer higher long-term profitability and integration potential.

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Small and Medium Groundnut Oil Making Plant for Sale

Item Small (10TPD) Medium (20TPD) Large (50TPD)
Ideal Investor Startups, small cooperatives Mid-level investors, regional suppliers Large corporations, export-focused producers
Equipment Cleaning machine, dryer, oil press, oil filter Pre-treatment, continuous pressing, refining Full pre-treatment, continuous pressing, full refining + filling line
Estimated Budget $35,000–$50,000 $60,000–$100,000 $150,000–$250,000
Space & Labor Small area, 2–3 workers Dedicated plant, 5–8 workers Large land, 10+ staff
Expandable? Some upgrades possible Modular design for future expansion Industrial setup with automation and ERP integration
Oil Quality Crude oil for food/industrial use Refined for direct sale Meets national/export standards

Tip: If you’re just starting out and have limited capital, a small unit can minimize risk; but if you have a stable raw material supply and sales channel, medium and large plants will offer better profit potential. (Read More: A Small Oil Mill Plant Cost Analysis>>)

ABC Machinery offers flexible capacity solutions from small to large plants, including on-site assembly and technical training—ideal to launch your groundnut oil business in Nigeria.

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Fixed vs Variable Costs in a Groundnut Oil Factory

Cost Type Item Description
Fixed Cost Land & facilities One-time cost for leasing/purchasing land, building factory and storage
  Equipment purchase Key machines like oil press, dryer, filter, and refining unit
  Installation & training Setup and operator training for smooth production start
  Admin & management Staff salaries, office and maintenance expenses
Variable Cost Raw materials Groundnut prices—most volatile, varies with season and market
  Energy consumption Electricity, fuel, and water costs during production
  Packaging & transport Bottles and logistics—scale with output
  Temporary labor Hired during production peaks, varies with volume

Top 5 Factors Affecting Groundnut Oil Processing Plant Cost

Understanding key cost drivers helps you make smart investment decisions. In Nigeria, the following five are most critical:

  • Groundnut price volatility. Being the main input, groundnut prices vary widely across seasons. Harvest time offers lower prices; off-season can see 20–30% increases. This is the biggest factor in variable costs.
  • Equipment source and quality. Whether imported, locally made, or assembled, equipment origin affects both cost and long-term performance. High-quality machines cost more upfront but save on maintenance.
  • Labor cost and skills. Labor availability and wages vary by region. Skilled training impacts efficiency and waste rate.
  • Energy expenses. Oil production consumes significant electricity and fuel. Price hikes or outages increase cost and difficulty.
  • Policies and taxes. Nigeria’s agricultural tax incentives, duties, and subsidies can influence both setup and operations.

Seasonal Changes in Groundnut Purchase Prices in Nigeria

Raw material cost is crucial. In Nigeria, major growing areas include Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno.

The planting season is from May to July, while harvest peaks between October and December. During harvest, prices drop to ₦80–₦100/kg (approx. $0.05–$0.07). In off-season (Feb–Apr), prices may rise to ₦120–₦140/kg ($0.08–$0.09) or more.

Investment Tips:

  • Build long-term supply contracts with local farmers to hedge off-season costs
  • Set up storage systems to buy cheap in harvest and produce in low season
  • Track government subsidy programs for tax relief and agricultural grants

How to Select Equipment and Control Groundnut Oil Plant Budget?

One of the biggest decisions investors face: What equipment do I actually need? The answer depends heavily on plant scale and target market.

Key Equipment in a Groundnut Oil Processing Line

  1. Pre-processing Machines: Includes shelling machine (for in-shell nuts), cleaning sieve, dryer. ✅ Recommended: Pre-treatment quality affects oil yield
  2. Oil Press MachineSingle or multi-stage screw press.✅ Must-have: Choose proven models used in Nigeria
  3. Oil Filtration Unit: Removes impurities from crude oil. ✅ Suggested: Improves appearance and shelf life
  4. Refining System (Optional): Degumming, deacidification, bleaching, deodorization.  Optional: Delay if only selling crude oil for bulk use
  5. Filling & Packaging Machines (Optional): For bottled retail products. Optional: Not needed for wholesale

mini groundnut oil production line process flow chart
Mini Groundnut Oil Production Line: Extraction Process Machinery and Refinery Plant

inquire about the price and cost

ABC Machinery offers modular, expandable line designs suitable for every budget and phase—from small workshops to medium factories. We also provide custom cooking oil mill solutions based on your raw material (kernel vs in-shell) and sales model (bulk vs retail) to ensure your money is well spent.

3 Practical Tips for Budget Control

  1. Prioritize essential machines; delay non-critical units. For example, focus on pressing and refining; postpone packaging if needed.
  2. Use standard models to avoid custom pricing. Proven systems for Nigeria reduce spare part issues and delivery delays.
  3. Choose suppliers with local tech support. ABC Machinery has Nigeria-based agents and remote support for quick service.

Already have a plan? Contact us to get tailored proposals, budget estimates, and real project references—we know the groundnut oil processing plant cost in Nigeria better than anyone.

ABC Machinery’s Groundnut & Edible Oil Projects in Nigeria

So far, ABC Machinery has delivered numerous edible oil production lines across Nigeria—from small workshops to complete mid-sized plants. Our clients include agri-traders, cooperatives, and family-owned businesses. Each project is customized for local raw materials, market focus, and capital scale.

Project Investment Capacity Equipment Delivered
Automatic Groundnut Oil Press ~$6,000 / Oil press unit Q1 2020
Soybean Oil Extraction & Refining Line ~$40,000 10 TPD press + 1 TPD refining Cleaner + roaster + press + filter + refining set Q4 2023
Palm Kernel Oil Plant ~$70,000 Scaled from 10TPD to 30TPD Cleaning, shelling, roasting, pressing, filtering Q2 2024

All projects include technical services and post-sale support. Clients report stable yields and easy maintenance, allowing fast market entry.

Want to receive full machine lists, budget plans, or project links? Contact ABC Machinery engineers now.

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