Business tips for bakers who sell
Amagwinya (vetkoek) business tips
By the
Gold Star
team:
from the makers of Anchor Yeast
Updated March 2026
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Amagwinya: also called vetkoek: are one of the easiest baking businesses to start. The ingredients are cheap, people buy them every day, and you can start from your own kitchen. These four tips help you make real money from every batch.
Tip 1: Costing your batch
Before you set a price, know what one batch costs you. Add up everything: flour, Gold Star yeast, sugar, salt, and the oil you fry in.
Don't forget the costs you can't see: gas or electricity, and the packets you serve in. They come out of your profit too.
Quick Tip
Write down your costs every time you buy stock. Prices change: your selling price should change with them.
Tip 2: Pricing to make a profit
A good rule: sell each amagwinya for at least double what it costs you to make.
Check what other sellers near you charge, but don't just copy them. Their costs may be lower than yours.
Worked example: The formula
Flour + yeast + sugar and salt + frying oil
= cost per batch
Cost per batch ÷ how many the batch makes
= cost per amagwinya
Selling price × how many you sell
= money in per batch
Money in minus cost per batch
= profit per batch
Quick Tip
If you can't raise your price, cut your costs: buy ingredients in bigger pack sizes.
Work out your own numbers: the free costing calculator does the sums for your batch size and prices
Open the costing calculators
Tip 3: Finding good selling spots
Sell in high density areas such as: taxi ranks, school gates, pay points, factory gates and busy corners.
Morning is amagwinya time. Be set up before the first taxis fill up.
Quick Tip
Ask a spaza shop to stock your amagwinya. You give a small cut, they give you a counter: and you sell in two places at once.
Tip 4: Keeping customers coming back
Same size, same taste, same price, every day: that is what turns a passer-by into a regular.
Be there at the same time each day. Keep hot food hot, and wrap it clean.
Quick Tip
Try a loyalty deal: buy 10, get 1 free. A regular customer is worth more than any passer-by.
The amagwinya toolkit
Keep going
The amagwinya (vetkoek) recipe
The tested recipe behind these tips: quantities, method and frying times.
Get the recipe
Recipes for bakers who sell
Big-batch breads, scones and steam bread: bakes that sell well.
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Tools for commercial bakers
Calculators and guides to cost, price and grow your baking business.
See the tools
Before you start frying
FAQS
How much can I make from one batch?
To be filled in.
How much should I sell amagwinya for?
To be filled in.
How do I start selling amagwinya?
To be filled in.