Kenyan farmers are counting losses as agricultural produce prices fall to the lowest in the last two years. Low prices are attributed to high market supply and low purchasing power.
After a prolonged shortage, almost all farmers are harvesting. Onion and tomato prices are at their lowest ever. Imagine, after hard work, sweat, and the high cost of inputs, selling a kilo of onions at Ksh 8 at the farm gate.
Given the cost of onion farming per acre, over ksh 300,000, the current farm price is a huge loss to farmers. In most markets, the retail price of onions is ksh 30 per kilo.
Tomatoes have dropped from ksh 3000 per crate at the beginning of July to ksh 900 per crate at the onset of August. Good-quality tomatoes have flooded the market suddenly. Warm weather expected in August will enhance ripening, increasing market supply and forcing prices down.
Check out This: Here is a complete effective spray guide for capsicums farming.
Green capsicum retails at ksh 60 per kilo, coloured capsicums at ksh 120, cabbages at ksh 40 per head, and spinach and kales at ksh 20 per kilo.
In most markets, dry maize retails at ksh 2000 per 90kg bag. This fall, farmers will continue harvesting. Meanwhile, green maize is plentiful and retails at ksh 5 per piece.
It’s banana season, and the supply is high, with a kilo retailing at ksh 30. A tray of eggs is at ksh 350. Broccoli and cauliflower prices are also on a free fall. The cost for a kilo of broccoli and cauliflower is below ksh 50.
Potatoes are the only produce whose price rises, retailing above ksh 500 per bag.
Thanks to warm weather, which is expected to fasten crop growth, consumers should expect cheaper farm produce from August.
About Post Author
Leave a Reply