Cabbage farming is a lucrative business for many Chuka horticultural vegetable vendors, including John Kinyua.
Kinyua has been selling cabbages at the Chuka Open-air market for the past five years and has seen significant profits from the venture.
During an interview with a local publication, he revealed that he buys the cabbages from South and Central Imenti in Meru and sells them in the Chuka open-air market.
It takes him three days to sell out, and then he re-purchases the cabbages and hires a lorry to ferry them to Chuka at the cost of Sh5,000, depending on the tonnage of the vehicle.
The cabbages at the market are sold at an affordable price, but despite this, John still makes good money that is sustainable.
During these times, he hires people to help him with the sale and pays them Sh7,500 at the end of the month.
“During the high season when the cabbages are selling fast, I employ several people to assist me and pay them. I like creating employment for young people, but when the business is low, I can only employ one person at a time,” he says.
One of John’s biggest clients is hotels around the county, which ensures that he makes a profit of at least Sh20,000 weekly.
However, one of the major challenges he and other vendors faced was the Covid-19 pandemic, which rendered many people jobless, and many got into the cabbage business, making competition stiff. Although sales declined at the time, they have since picked up.
Another challenge John faces is buying the cabbages from a broker, which can be expensive. Kinyua currently buys his cabbages through a broker from the farmer, which can be expensive due to the added costs of paying the broker and the farmer.
Buying directly from the farmer would yield a higher profit of Sh20 and above per cabbage compared to Sh10 per cabbage head through a broker.
In the future, John hopes to maximize his earnings by growing cabbages. He knows that the vegetables require enough attention as they can easily go bad if the climate is not right. By growing his cabbages, John would save the cost of purchasing from a broker and have control over the quality of the produce.
Cabbages are a staple in most households around the country and are affordable and easy to prepare, but they also pair well with many dishes and are nutritious.
John’s business in selling cabbages is profitable and has growth potential, but there are challenges, such as competition and the cost of purchasing from a broker. By creating employment opportunities for the youth and potentially growing his cabbages, John can further maximize his profits and secure a steady source of income.
John’s success in the cabbage business is a testament to the fact that taking risks can pay off in the long run.
Despite the challenges he faces, John is determined to continue with the business and grow it to greater heights. By continuously improving the quality of his cabbages and expanding his customer base, he is well on his way to achieving his goals and becoming a successful businessman.