NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s local farmers are facing an uphill battle as an influx of cheap fresh produce from Tanzania floods the market, driving down prices and threatening their livelihoods.
Over the past two months, prices in agriculture-rich areas like Kinangop, Nyandarua County, have plummeted by over 50pc, leaving farmers and traders grappling with the harsh reality of increased competition and rising production costs.
Farmers and traders at the ‘Soko Mpaya’ vegetable market along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway have been hit hard by the oversupply of produce from Tanzania.
Local traders pointed out that the price of 1 kg of onions has dropped from Sh130 to just Sh70, a direct result of the oversupply from Tanzania.
The farmers emphasized that they are struggling with high production costs, making it difficult to compete with the lower-priced imports.
“Most of the onions and tomatoes sold here are from Tanzania, where overproduction has driven prices down,” one of the farmers interviewed by the Star explained. “Meanwhile, our local farmers are burdened by the high costs of fertilizer, chemicals, and fuel, making it nearly impossible to compete.”
Another farmer highlighted the stark price difference between Tanzanian and local produce. A crate of tomatoes from Tanzania retails for Sh2,500, while the same amount from local farmers costs Sh3,200.
Traders are increasingly opting for the cheaper foreign produce, leaving local farmers with unsold stock and mounting losses.
As families struggle to make ends meet, items like carrots and tomatoes are being overlooked, further exacerbating the challenges faced by local farmers.
With the situation growing increasingly dire, farmers are calling on the government to intervene.
They argue that the high cost of farm inputs, coupled with rising fuel prices, is creating an unsustainable environment for local agriculture.
There is a growing demand for policies that will level the playing field, protect local farmers, and ensure that they can compete fairly with imported produce.
As the market continues to struggle with these challenges, the future of local farming in Kenya remains uncertain.
The government’s response to these concerns will be crucial in determining whether local farmers can weather this storm or if the influx of cheap foreign produce will continue to erode their livelihoods.
