Vegetable Prices Off The Roof As Dry Spell Rages On

As compared to a few months ago when markets across the country had been flooded with green leafy vegetables, the market is experiencing a slight shortage of the same at the moment and thus, has caused a hike in prices of the same.

For instance, a market survey from selected towns across the country showed that a 50-kilogram bag of Sukumawiki is retailing at an average market price of 3000 shillings in Eldoret, and Kitale and 2000 shillings in Nairobi and Kisumu.

One -kilogram bag of Cabbages is going for an average of 98.04 shillings in Mombasa and Nairobi, making it the highest market price compared to other towns.

During the rainy season, medium-sized cabbages are sold as low as 10 shillings but currently, they cost up to 50 shillings.

Meanwhile, across the major towns, tomatoes are trading lowest in Mombasa where a 1-kilogram bag costs 96 shillings and the highest in Eldoret where a kilogram is 280 shillings.

In Nairobi and Kisumu, the cost of 1 kilo of tomatoes is 120 shillings while in Nakuru it is selling at 140 shillings. Here is the summary

A crate retails at an average of 8,500 shillings in major cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, Trans- Nzoia, and Mombasa, with the lowest price ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 shillings in Some counties.

The commodity retails at 2o shillings for three medium-sized and 1o shillings for a large one in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, the price of onions has been rising since December 2021. A spot check in the fresh vegetable market in Nairobi shows that dry onions are retailing at an average market price of 107.83 shillings, an increase of 2.3 percent.

A small sack of onions (10kg) that was going for 1,000 shillings in November is now 1,200 shillings, according to traders at Marikiti market in Nairobi.

In Bungoma and Nakuru counties, a 1okg of onion sells at 933.3 shillings with one kilogram going for 93.33 shillings.

Other vegetables such as Managu are sold in markets in a bunch; a handful for about 10 shillings, with a kilogram, usually fetching 30-40 shillings. A sack of the same commodity is trading at 2000 shillings in Nairobi.

With the projected continuous drought in the country, the vegetable market is yet to recover and it looks like the prices will be climbing as quantity reduces.

How much do you buy vegetables in your nearby market? You can send us your feedback at info@sokodirectory.com, and we will feature it in our next article.