Fresh produce prices on the rise as cold spell hits supply

Consumers have to dig deeper into their pockets as the supply of fresh produce shrinks due to the ongoing cold spell.

Save for fruits such as oranges, watermelons and pawpaws that are in season and are being supplied in the market in bulk, prices of tomatoes, various vegetables and onions, have risen considerably.

Charles Kiama, a trader at the Nyeri market, noted that sukuma wiki (collard greens), spinach, tomatoes, onions and cabbages are the worst hit.
“Their supply is low but the demand is high making prices to go up.

A kilo of sukuma wiki and spinach is selling at Sh40 while cabbages are going from Sh80,” he said.

A kilo of onions is being sold from Sh70 to Sh100, depending on its grade.

Similarly, tomatoes are being sold at Sh80 a kilo or up to Sh10 each.

But while the vegetables are in short supply, traders selling fruits are counting losses due to the excess supply.

Paul Waititu, a trader at Whispers Market in Nyeri, said he lost more than 10kg of pawpaw last week, which cost him Sh600.

RIPE BANANAS AFFECTED BY COLD WEATHER

Wothaya Githaiga, a banana trader said she lost 14kg of the fruits that go for Sh25 a kilo.

“Ripe bananas always get affected by the cold weather especially now because people are not consuming them in plenty,” she said.

Oranges imported from Tanzania, and are in season, are preferred by traders because they are affordable unlike those from Ukambani.

A kilo of Tanzanian oranges at wholesale price is selling at Sh50 while those from Ukambani are going for Sh70.

“We are making good profit with the Tanzanian 70kg orange bag,” said Mr Waititu.

Another fast-going fruit in Nyeri is apple that retails at Sh200 a kilo and at Sh30 each.

For the last two weeks, tree tomatoes’ prices have gone down significantly. With a kilo being sold at Sh60 from Sh100. The fruit is not highly perishable and is in season.

Traders are also earning good money from tangerines, which are in season and are sourced from Ukambani.