Cabbage Prices Shoot As Kenya Set To Experience Adequate Rain

By Getrude Mathayo / Published March 24, 2023 | 1:04 pm

KEY POINTS

A 126 Kg bag of cabbages is being sold at an average price of 4,600 shillings across major towns in Kenya. This means that on average, a kilogram of cabbages is being sold at an average of 90 shillings from 40 shillings in early January.

Prices of cabbage have increased by nearly 125 percent due to low supply amid droughts experienced around the country. The price of a kilo of cabbage has risen from 40 shillings to 90 shillings.

Nairobi recorded the highest price of cabbages, where a 1 Kg bag is being sold at a market price of 90 shillings while Eldoret recorded the lowest market price of 50 shillings.

Cabbage is an essential vegetable that is consumed by a majority of Kenyan families due to its affordability and availability.

Unlike in the past, modern farming is done as a business. Therefore, the market is a fundamental part of completing your journey as a farmer. Although cabbage is amongst the most consumed vegetables with many health benefits, having a defined market is a game changer from being an ordinary farmer to a most profitable venture.

Cabbage can be sold locally as a cash crop due to its high bulky demand at supermarkets, schools, and hotels or exported to countries.

Farmers are also hopeful that there will be a surplus production of vegetables with the onset of the rains, which have been absent for the last three seasons. During the rainy season, medium-sized cabbages are sold for as low as 20 shillings, but their cost is currently up to 50 shillings.

An increase in prices is set to make life difficult for Kenya, coming on the back of massive layoffs and wage cuts by companies amid tough economic times caused by the pandemic.