After the pandemic shook the world, many have turned to more convenient homemade meals such as frozen food. This trend was apparent in 2020, when frozen food consumption increased by 75% from 2019 to 2020.
New entrepreneurs looking to enter the food industry will realise that now is the perfect time to start a frozen food business! Not only will you be able to sell your products to locals, but you’ll also be able to export them to other countries in Southeast Asia. Here’s everything you need to know about how to start a frozen food business in the Philippines.
Table of Contents
1. Choose Your Product
The first step in starting any business is choosing your product. When it comes to frozen food, there are endless possibilities! Will you sell ice cream? Frozen fruits and vegetables? Ready-to-eat meals? Once you’ve decided on your product, you’ll need to figure out where you’re going to get it from. Are you going to make it yourself? Or are you going to buy it from a supplier?
2. Get the Right Equipment
If you’re going to be making your own frozen food, then you’re going to need some specialized equipment. Also, depending on your preferred frozen food product, your required equipment could be anything from freezers and coolers to ice cream makers (can be quite expensive) and popsicle molds.
The good news is that there’s a wide range of frozen food equipment available on the market, so you should be able to find something that meets your needs and budget. If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying second-hand equipment or renting it instead of buying it outright. Just make sure to do your research before making any purchase, as there are definitely some duds out there.
3. Find a Location
Now that you’ve got your product and your equipment sorted out, it’s time to find a place to set up shop. If you’re selling ice cream, then you’ll need to be near a source of running water so that you can clean your ice cream maker after each use.
You’ll also need to be in a location with good foot traffic so that people can easily find your store. If you’re selling frozen meals, on the other hand, then being near a busy highway would be ideal so that people can easily pick up your products on their way home from work or school.
One hot tip: ever wonder why McDonald’s and other fast-food restaurants are on street corners? The answer is that by being on a street corner, you essentially double your visibility as motorists (i.e. customers) can see your store from either road!
4. Promote Your Business
Once you’ve got everything up and running, it’s time to start promoting your business! If you’re selling ice cream, then why not hand out free samples on hot days? You could also put up flyers in local businesses or post about your store on social media. If you’re selling frozen meals, then consider partnering with local businesses so that their employees can have access to healthy and affordable meals.
Since frozen food is a booming business in the Philippines, and if you want to stay ahead of the competition, you need to be visible online. But what’s the best way to go about marketing your frozen food products?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Create a strong social media presence. Make sure you have a Facebook page and Twitter account for your business, and post regularly to both. Use attractive photos and catchy descriptions to promote your frozen food products.
2. Start a blog. A blog is a great way to show potential customers that you’re an expert in your field. Share tips on how to cook frozen food, or write about the latest trends in the frozen food industry. In addition, a blog can bring in income using display advertising (e.g. Google AdSense) and affiliate marketing (e.g. Involve Asia)
3. Use online advertising. Advertise your frozen food products on relevant websites and blogs. Target your ads so that they’re seen by people who are most likely to be interested in what you’re selling.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to success in the frozen food industry!
Summary
Starting a frozen food business in the Philippines is a great way to tap into the growing demand for healthy and convenient food options. With the right product and the right marketing strategy, you can be successful in this competitive industry!