The demand for fruits and vegetables by residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs is high. ADEOLA TUKURU met with one of the fruit sellers, Alhaji Yusuf Mustapha, who explained the lucrative nature of the business.
Alhaji Yusuf Mustapha, 59, a fruit seller, who hails from Adamawa state had dreamed to be Teacher but his dream was short-lived due to circumstances beyond his control.
Mustapha, has demonstrated the power of determination to succeed in fruits and vegetables business which is becoming a thing of the past .
While explaining to Business Starter, Yusuf, said he started the fruit business 4 years ago, despite the many challenges been faced, he has been able to build himself a house, send his 5 children to the University, Secondary school and cater for his immediate and extended families.
Journey so far
However, his entrepreneurial journey was not an easy one.
According to him, when he came to Abuja in 2007, he searched for a job severally from different organisations but couldn’t get any.
His aspiration was to be a teacher and also further his education but all these proved abortive, then he resulted to selling fruits because he realised that the business was always on high demand.
Knowledge acquisition
According to him, he gathered his savings in 2013 and tried to acquire small knowledge from one his friends who is also in the business .
Yusuf said at first he didn’t really know much about the business and how to go about it then he started sitting with his friend, one Usman.
“I will sit with my friend back then and watch how he communicate with consumers who comes to buy friends and where he usually buys the fruits from”
” He told me how to buy different varieties of fruits from fruits market in Dei Dei, he thought me how to communicate with customers as to the prices of fruits and how to have friendly chats with them that makes them come back ”
“I started my business somewhere around Usman’s shop in Madalla and I realised that FCT residents don’t joke with fruits as they troop in and out to buy ”
“Sometimes, I run out of stocks and I will send my boys to quickly get more fruits. Some of my customers place fruits on order and we take it to their houses and offices ”
“Some of my customers call me on phone and ask me to bring their choices of fruits, we charged them for home service because of transportation”
“In fact, from this business, I don’t lack anything, I have a house of my own, sent all my children to the university and also assist both my extended and immediate families ”
“If I compare myself from how I was before and now, I just won’t stop but to thank God. Before now, I make N2,000 to N3,000 daily but because I am popular around my store, I make N8,000 to N9, 000 daily ”
Daily schedule
On how Yusuf set out for his business on daily basis, he said he transport himself to Zuba fruits market as early as 6 a.m after his early morning prayers, buy as many varieties of fruits such as Garden eggs, Watermelon, Carrots, Pineapple, Paw-Paw, Coconut and others as he can afford then to transport it back to his store.
According to him, some of his customers wait for him because they know his fruits are fresh and very affordable.
Challenges
On challenges of his business, Yusuf said the major challenges are how to preserve the fruits remaining for the day.
According to him, the main reason why some of fruits his don’t easily get exhausted is when he doesn’t arrive his store early enough in the morning.
“Some customers who also buy from me to sell to others don’t like to be kept waiting so that is why I set out very early so that I can finish selling my fruits on time,” he said.
People who eat fruits as part of an overall healthy diet generally have a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Medical experts also encourages that making half ones plate fruit and vegetables for healthy eating. Fruits are very important sources of my nutrients, including potassium, fiber, vitamin C and folate (folic acid).
How to make money selling fruits, vegetables
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is rewarding, especially if you’ve got a natural green thumb. If you find yourself with a big supply of delicious, fresh produce every season, then selling it is an ideal way to take care of the surplus.
It’s important to follow the laws when you’re selling any food items, but opening a produce stand can be one way to sell your fruits and veggies easily and legally.
1.Pick a location for your stand. Better yet, pick several locations, in case your first choice isn’t available. How much money you make selling fruits and vegetables depends largely on where you place your stand.
You want your produce stand to be visible to your customers, preferably in an area with lots of foot traffic. You want those people to buy your produce, so it’s a good idea to place the stand where people are already shopping for food, like by a supermarket or a farmer’s market. Remember, local laws may not allow you to operate a produce stand right where you want it, but drive around and get an idea of where you’d like to place it.
- Check with your city or county to see what their laws and regulations are concerning the sale of fresh produce from a stand.
Since local governments can make their own rules, you have to check with the courthouse and acquire any necessary permits or inspections before you start selling.
They might have laws on what hours you can operate, what material your stand must be constructed from and other details you hadn’t considered.
- Plan how you’ll operate your business every day. You need a place to wash all the produce, and you need to transport your produce to your stand. Do you own a truck or a van, are you going to borrow or rent one or will you get help from family and friends? Are you planning to wash the produce with a garden hose, or do you have access to a commercial kitchen? These details are important to plan out before you open a produce stand.
4. Make a plan for storing the fruits and vegetables you don’t sell. You can’t make money with a produce stand full of bad or rotten produce; they have to be kept fresh until you can get them back to the stand. Fruits and vegetables are perishable, so you need access to a large refrigerator or freezer.
