Starting a Food & Beverage Business in Mauritius: Permits, Costs & Tips

Food & beverage is one of the most competitive Mauritian SME sectors — and one of the most rewarding when done right. Beyond the standard BRN, you'll need food-handling certificates, sanitary approvals, and — for premises — a Building & Land Use Permit.

Registrations and permits

• BRN on CBRIS (Rs 125 sole trader / Rs 3,000 Ltd).
• Food Handler's Certificate for every handler.
• Sanitary Fitness Certificate from the Ministry of Health.
• BLP if you have a physical outlet.
• Municipal trade fee annually.
• Music licence (MASA) if you play music.
• Tourism Enterprise Licence if guest-facing accommodation is involved.

Typical setup costs

• Kitchen equipment: Rs 100k–500k for a small commercial kitchen.
• Fit-out (small café): Rs 300k–1M.
• Stock: Rs 30k–100k to start.
• Permits and legal: Rs 5k–20k.

Sales channels

• Dine-in (higher margin, more overhead).
• Takeaway (WhatsApp orders + Juice payment).
• Delivery via Uber Eats, Deliveroo, or in-house.
• Catering and corporate lunches (great margin).

Cash flow tips

• Weekly inventory count.
• Waste log — most F&B loses 8–15% to waste.
• Menu re-engineering every 6 months.
• Deposits for large catering orders.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need special permits to sell food in Mauritius?

Yes — food handler certificates and sanitary approvals in addition to your BRN.

Can I run a food business from home?

Home-based food production is possible with the right sanitary approvals and typically limited to certain product categories.

What's the trade fee for a small café?

Typically Rs 5,000–15,000 per year depending on Council and floor area.

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