How to Start a Yoghurt Business in Kenya (2026): Process, Licences, Machines and Packaging

Yoghurt sells every day in supermarkets, schools and kiosks, and it earns more per litre than raw milk. Here is how a small yoghurt business works, with machines you can buy on Buy More Mall from Herritech Ventures (H-TECH) and Africa Packaging Solutions.

How Is Yoghurt Made? (Step by Step)

1. Receive and test fresh milk (smell, lactometer, freshness).
2. Heat the milk in a pasteuriser, typically to about 85–90 °C, and hold it there for several minutes. This kills bacteria and helps the yoghurt set thick.
3. Cool it to about 42–45 °C.
4. Add starter culture and stir.
5. Incubate at about 42–45 °C for roughly 4–8 hours until it sets.
6. Cool to about 4 °C to stop fermentation.
7. Flavour and sweeten (optional), then fill, seal and code the cups or bottles.
8. Keep cold in a display fridge until sold.

Times and temperatures depend on your culture; follow the culture supplier's instructions and keep records for every batch.

Approvals

• Kenya Dairy Board licence for dairy processing.
• KEBS certification (Standardization Mark) for the product.
• County business permit and public health approval; medical certificates for staff.

Machines and Prices

Full pasteuriser range: Milk Pasteuriser Price in Kenya. Sealers: Sealing Machine Price in Kenya. Coders: Batch Coding and Labelling Machines.

Packaging Options

Every pack needs a batch number and use-by date.

How Profitable Is a Yoghurt Business?

Work out your cost per pack: milk, culture, sugar and flavour, the cup and lid or bottle, power, labour and losses. Price above that, and below what shops already charge for similar yoghurt, so retailers can earn a margin too. Start with one or two flavours and grow as orders come in.

Not sure which one fits? Send us your details on WhatsApp or through the product page and we will help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a yoghurt business in Kenya?

Secure milk supply and buyers, get Kenya Dairy Board and KEBS approvals, buy a pasteuriser, sealer and coder, and keep the product cold.

How is yoghurt made step by step?

Heat milk to about 85–90 °C, cool to about 42–45 °C, add culture, incubate about 4–8 hours until set, cool to 4 °C, then flavour and pack.

How much is a commercial yoghurt making machine in Kenya?

The pasteuriser is the main machine: from KSh 140,000 for 50 litres on Buy More Mall.

How much is a yoghurt cup sealing machine?

A manual cup sealer is KSh 78,750 on Buy More Mall.

Is a yoghurt business profitable in Kenya?

It can be, when your cost per pack is well below shop prices and you sell steadily without breaking the cold chain.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

Related Guides

• Milk Pasteuriser Price
• Sealing Machine Price
• How to Start a Milk Collection Centre
• Display Fridge Price