Smoking fish may be a lucrative industry. You’ll be surprised to learn how many fish Nigerians consume on a single day. The growth of our population aids in keeping businesses viable.
Doctors, as well as age and health-related issues, all have a role in encouraging people to consume fish. Many people presently prefer fish to meat; in the past, people who ate fish were considered poor.
Someone like me used to dislike the smell of fish, but now I eat it in the same way that I eat meat.
Smoking fish has become increasingly popular as the number of fish farmers, particularly catfish farmers, has increased. You can argue that, because Nigeria is surrounded by water, it doesn’t need to raise fish.
Apart from the reasons indicated previously, we are currently exporting massive amounts of fish. Around 5 tonnes are said to be exported each month.
If fish aren’t raised, we may not be able to consume enough. That is why we are asking astute businesses to take advantage of these opportunities and invest in the fish industry.
Fish are marine animals that must be cared for once they are removed from the water to allow them to live longer without spoiling.
You don’t have to be a fish farmer to start smoking fish. Fish farmers are a common source of smoked fish. If you have the cash to establish a business, though, roll in the hay since you’ll make three times the profit.
During this session, we’ll look at the many stages involved in smoking fish, the benefits of smoking fish, fish branding/packaging, fish exporting, and marketability.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN THE FISH-SMOKING INDUSTRY?
Receive instruction from someone who is already in the fish smoking company to learn the intricacies of the industry.
Smoking fish may appear to be a simple business, but it requires commitment, talent, and execution. When smoking fish, there are a few key steps to remember:
CleaningsCuring SmokingsDrying
CLEANSING OF FISH
Remove the gills, lungs, and intestines from the fish before cleaning it thoroughly from the inside out. You should use a lot of clean water and be generous with it.
BRINE AND CURE
This is the method for immersing fish in water in order to:
Botulism is an example of a bacteria that has a proclivity for killing diseases seen in fish.
The most important piece of equipment for smoking fish is the kiln, which comes in a variety of sizes, styles, and power sources, including charcoal, sawdust, gas, and electricity.
The interior materials used in the kiln are critical. It should be resistant to rust and corrosion. NAFDAC will reject any kiln that is not constructed of galvanized plate or chrome steel.
Chrome steel is more expensive than other materials, but it is more durable.
This is frequently crucial information for anyone thinking about exporting. The inside of the kiln could be made of low-carbon steel or black plate for a local market.
The kiln is designed for those who want to create their own large-scale fish-smoking business. There are 50kg, 100kg, 200kg, 300kg, 400kg, and 500kg smoking kilns available.
There are other versions to choose from, such as basic and classic, each with its own unique set of characteristics.
Some smoking kilns feature two or three power sources, such as gas, charcoal, and electricity, as well as a high-speed fan to evenly distribute heat energy.
It’s fiber insulated for efficient thermal energy conservation, which means it dries rapidly and comes with a temperature gauge to monitor and control the working temperature.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, on the other hand, should be avoided.
To begin, you’ll need a $40,000-$50,000 smoking kiln that can accommodate up to 100 fish.
Resources: How To Start Crayfish Business In Nigeria in 2024
