By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    United Nations
    4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development
    2 months ago
    The African Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) scale up drive for sustainable urbanization in Africa
    AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa
    2 months ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    2 months ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    2 months ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    2 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Human Rights Watch Kicks Over 10-Year Jail Term Giving Burundian Journalist
    3 years ago
    Democracy In Africa In Crisis, Afrobarometer Warns
    2 years ago
    Hopesalive Initiative for Africa
    Queen Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Receives African Award In Ethiopia
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    New AfDB President Set Youth Target In 100 Days, To Prioritise Reforms, Partnerships
    6 days ago
    Bank Video on President Adesina’s Gender Advocacy Wins Two International Awards
    1 week ago
    Ghana President Mahama Calms Nigerians’ Fears: No Mass Deportations
    1 month ago
    At Gender Statistics Forum, African Leaders Urge Renewed Commitment To Quality Gender Data
    2 months ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Tinubu’s Ambition Suffers Setback, As Coalition Of APC Groups Shift Support To Atiku/Okowa Presidency 2023
    3 years ago
    PAN Chief Congratulates Akwa Ibom Governor-Elect, Says He’s Inspiration To Persons Living With Albinism 
    2 years ago
    Rejected Nominees: Lagos Assembly Action Was In Order, Obasa Declares
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    NSC Chairman To Engage With Youth And Sports Stakeholders At The Nest Centre
    3 weeks ago
    Edo District Bye-election: SDP Candidate, Hon. Isidahomhen Promises To Pursue Best Interest Of Esanland 
    4 weeks ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Takes Oath Of Office
    1 month ago
    Gov Adeleke’s Outburst Against Aregbesola Shows Sign Of A Drowning Man – ADC Group
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Unlock Your Potential: NEXIM MD Inspires Nigerian Youth To Pursue Their Passions, Highlighting Opportunities In Non-oil Value Chains
    6 days ago
    Gov Okpebholo Rescues Over 10 Accident Victims On Benin–Auchi Highway
    1 week ago
    Lagos SWAN Chairman, Oladunni, Elected into Fellowship of the Institute of Security Nigeria
    2 weeks ago
    Entrepreneurship, Mentorship, And Scholarship Are Gains Of FUTO Alumni Homecoming 2025
    3 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Temi Otedola Makes Her Stage Debut In Motherland The Musical
    3 years ago
    Discover Exciting Programmes with Ease on GOtv
    2 years ago
    Nigerian Afrobeat Artiste WONDA Drops Captivating Summer Anthem ‘Ibiza’
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Hello Mr Right Naija Season 3: Love, Drama And Surprises Await This September!
    4 days ago
    BBNaija Season 10: Faith Bags Most Influential Housemate, Snatches Head of House from Sultana in Week 6
    7 days ago
    Huzzainat Adebayo (Huzzy Mama) Speaks About Her Career In Nollywood
    1 week ago
    Story Of A Greener Future: MultiChoice’s Journey To Renewable Energy And A 20% Carbon-emission Cut By 2028
    3 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Ilara-Epe Kingdom To Confer Chieftaincy Title On Trinidad and Tobago Envoy
    2 years ago
    Obasa At Christmas, Wants Nigerians To Emulate Love Of Christ
    3 years ago
    Bishop T.A. Emmanuel Celebrates 37th Anniversary In God’s Ministry
    1 year ago
    Latest News
    Preserving African Culture: Polaris Bank , Chivita, And Danone Support CIKDAS’ Youth Literary Initiative
    2 days ago
    Nigeria, Switzerland Takes Major Steps Towards Repatriation Of Artifacts And Cultural Cooperation
    1 week ago
    Archbishop Ugorji Hails St. Helen’s Choir As One of the Best Choirs in Owerri Archdiocese
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos Tourism Ministry Visits Heritage Sites For Inventory, Documentation
    3 weeks ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Intra-African Trade Fair
    Nigeria To Host Intra-African Trade Fair In 2027
    21 hours ago
    Bank of Agriculture
    How Nigeria-Brazil Pact Will Boost Agricultural Investment, Food Security – BOA
    6 days ago
    Nexim Bank Boss To Engage Young Nigerians With Non-oil Export Opportunities For Wealth Creation At Breakfast Session
    2 weeks ago
    ₦46B in pre-launch transactions.
    After ₦46B Pre-launch Transactions, Fidelity Bank Unveils PAPSS In Nigeria
    3 weeks ago
    Opay In Trouble, Caught In Alleged Fraud Allegations And Legal Controversies Between January To July 2025
    1 month ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    WHO
    WHO Gives Nigerian Laboratory Full Accreditation To Fight Measles And Rubella
    3 years ago
    European Union Allocates N75m To Prevent Spread Of Diphtheria In Nigeria
    2 years ago
    US Govt Must Heed Lessons Of PEPFAR – AIDS Society Warns
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    CAPPA Commends FG Health Tax Policy, Renews Call for Higher Sugary Drinks Excise Duty
    10 minutes ago
    Jubilation In Ebonyi As FG, State Govt Activate MAMII To Safe Pregnant Women And Babies
    2 days ago
    Abakaliki Agog As MAMII Train Enters Ebonyi State
    5 days ago
    LASU Professor Wins Distinguished Meritorious Obstetrics and Gynecological ICON Award
    5 days ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Is Sachet Culture A Great Idea Or Fueling Pollution? By Timi Olubiyi
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Business > Is Sachet Culture A Great Idea Or Fueling Pollution? By Timi Olubiyi
BusinessIndustry & LabourOpinion

Is Sachet Culture A Great Idea Or Fueling Pollution? By Timi Olubiyi

Last updated: 2023/01/10 at 6:06 PM
3 years ago
Share
SHARE

Happy New Year 2023. The yuletide has witnessed a significant consumption rate across the country in the consumer goods sector. On a larger scale, sachet usage has dominated the retail industry in many parts of Africa but more significantly in Nigeria, where the population is high, and there is a huge demand for consumer goods. The level of plastic and sachet waste generation is extremely high, and we may have a big problem with that if this trend continues to increase without adequate regulation. Because sachet products, or single-serve packs as they are normally called in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, dominate the retail landscape, the surge in usage has been alarming. In colloquial terms, the model is referred to as “sachetisation” which is known to have kicked off in Nigeria in the ’90s with the making of smaller sachets of drinking water (pure water) and Cowbell powdered milk by Promasidor. Then the idea was necessitated by innovation to penetrate the larger low- or no-income populace. However, the idea was later met with intense and stiff competition. Today, the literature suggests that over a 60million units of pure water are consumed per day in Nigeria, along with loads of other sachet pack products. From take away food packs to carrier bags, drinks, cooking ingredients, and household cleaning products. 

The sachet trend has continued to expand due to shrinking income levels, widespread hardship, and rising poverty amongst the populace. These undoubtedly have caused the growing adoption of sachet packs in the country recently. For companies, the tough operating environment, decrepit infrastructure, continuous inflation, porous borders, and waning bulk consumption have further heightened the need for the sachet model’s adoption. Both individuals and businesses are feeling the weight of the economic challenges, and over time, the disposable income of consumers continues to wane. Besides the consequences of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the economy in recent times continued to worsen the situation. They are majorly eroding the purchasing power of many individuals, households, and even companies. The current economic situation has also made products and services more expensive nationwide. In fact, many manufacturing companies are witnessing reduced patronage of large items because not everyone can afford bulk purchase or regular packs, and consumers continue to look for cheaper alternatives. So, “sachetisation” is a business strategy and an alternative to engaging customers continually in this trying time. The idea is to make products affordable to consumers, particularly the majority of daily income earners who constitute a large chunk of the country’s population. 

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Many companies at this time of high inflation and economic uncertainty have resolved to adopt the “sachetisation” model to give some of the poorest people in Nigeria easy access to everyday household essentials and for continuous patronage within the consumer goods space. Also, for the companies this time, it is a way to increase sales among the customers who cannot afford to buy in larger quantities. Even though the sachet model saves wastage with portion control, it requires minimum packaging materials, less storage, low shipping and transportation cost, and most importantly, it is pocket friendly to the end-users. However, the painful truth and disclosure are that this trend is an indication of unsustainable consumption, income inequality, unaffordability, and the wide gap between the haves and have-nots, the dwindling economy, and a high level of poverty in the country. Supportably, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the “2019 Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria” report, highlights that 40 per cent of the total population, or almost 83 million people, live below the country’s poverty line. This figure even appears underestimated, in my opinion, due to a lack of data on the extremely huge informal sector of the country. However, these sachet products give the poor in the country access to everyday household essentials but compromise the sustainable consumption and the environment.

From observation, hardly is there any market-leading FMCG company in Nigeria has not manufactured a single-serve pack (sachet-packed product) to capture the poor consumers. To buttress the adoption of this model, the various operators in the open markets in the country unknowingly practice the sachet model on perishables, vegetables, and foodstuffs freely. All due to economic reasons and the waning purchasing power of the consumers. The regular essential consumables that are noticeable in sachet are milk, detergent, cooking oil, cereal, margarine, liquor, pepper mix (pepper, tomatoes and onions), toothpaste, sugar, tomato sauce, shampoo, cornflakes, seasoning/spices, biscuits, dishwashing liquid, shaving sticks, cereals, bleach, Lipton sachet with just two tea bags, diaper sachet with just two units, disinfectant and energy drink amongst others. 

From the sampled opinion, this sachet trend is on the increase in a bid for companies to continue to increase market share, increase market penetration, and remain competitive. The important thing is that the trend is now becoming increasingly popular, and even choice brands are included in the growing wave. This trend encourages quick sell and increases competitiveness in consumer goods, where affordability is a big issue. Importantly, companies need to note that the population of the poor in the country continues to grow, indicating that those unwilling to flow with the sachet trend may be at risk of running out of business. Considering the country’s economic griefs, the trend is beneficial regarding patronage, sales, and business continuity. The sachet model is undoubtedly on the increase in the country, and it is currently a winning strategy to sell what a large percentage of the population can afford.

All said the points raised above are not to completely justify “sachetisation” as a business strategy but also to implore the companies and government to promote measures to improve sustainable consumption, clean production, and circular economy to reduce multidimensional poverty- which may include food security, housing, health, education, and security which directly impact the wellbeing of the populace. The big issue is that most plastic sachets are not currently being recycled and reused. Therefore, government sustainable development strategies and policies need to be heightened to involve waste management, environmental management, pollution, and recycling and socio-economic plans need to be in place to promote recycling and save the environment. This should be a priority now. Therefore, key policies and measures to encourage proper waste management and recycling in the country should also be considered to avoid huge environmental pollution. 

In conclusion, observation indicates “sachetisation” is now more like a necessity than an option in the country due to increased deprivation in myriad aspects of life. The country’s telecommunications and some real estate companies are exploring the sachet model with various smart (sachet) pack products with daily payment options. Above all, it is not even out of place to mention that just like these companies and the Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), the financial sector- banking, insurance, and investment management companies and even the Cable TV operators can ‘sachetised’ to make services more accessible and affordable for the masses. However, leveraging innovation, sustainable production, and technology will be of great significance to achieve this. Good luck!

How may you obtain advice or further information on the article? 

Dr. Timi Olubiyi, an Entrepreneurship & Business Management expert with a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Babcock University Nigeria. A prolific investment coach, author, seasoned scholar, Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), and Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) registered capital market operator. He can be reached on the Twitter handle @drtimiolubiyi and via email: [email protected], for any questions, reactions, and comments. The opinions expressed in this article are that of the author- Dr Timi Olubiyi and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of others.

You Might Also Like

Nigeria To Host Intra-African Trade Fair In 2027

How schemers In The Presidency And Information Ministry Misled Tinubu To Remove Pedro As NTA DG And Recall Dembos

How Nigeria-Brazil Pact Will Boost Agricultural Investment, Food Security – BOA

Makinde’s Rising Profile: Can Oyo Governor Lead PDP’s 2027 Presidential Charge?

The Pressure To Appear Rich In Harsh Economy

TAGGED: African Retail Market, Sachet Products
INadminNG January 10, 2023 January 10, 2023
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article A Child Or Youth Died Once Every 4.4 Seconds In 2021 – UN Report
Next Article Climate Change: Amnesty Int’l Warns Nations To Avert Climate Breakdown
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?