Elgeyo Marakwet County is known for various forms of agribusinesses, with maize, potato, and banana farming being some of the most practiced ventures.
One farmer, David Kiprotich from Kibigos village, has, however, ditched the norm to try his hand at some of the most profitable temperate fruits like apples, plums, and pears.
“I knew these fruits needed cooler temperatures, and my land was in one of the coldest areas in Marakwet. At first, people thought I was wasting my time. Apples and plums are not what you’d call ‘Marakwet fruits’. But I wanted to try something different,” says Kiprotich.
Narrating his journey in fruit farming, Kiprotich revealed he planted his first apple trees in 2018. He notes that temperate fruits take about three years to mature, adding that yield increases with time.
“The first harvest was small, but the fruits were beautiful and fresh. People were curious, and soon, I was getting orders from Kapsowar, Kapcherop, and even as far as Eldoret,” he added.
According to the farmer, the uniqueness and sweetness of the fruits have made them fetch better prices in the market. Additionally, the fruits are only grown by a few farmers, meaning good earnings given the high demand.
“Every crop has its challenges, but I believe that with the right care and dedication, these fruits can thrive here,” he said.
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Kenya relies heavily on imported apples to meet the demand, especially during off-peak seasons when local production is limited. Countries such as South Africa, China, and the United States are major exporters of apples to Kenya.
These imported apples include popular varieties like Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith. The fruits are popular among consumers due to their nutritional value and unique tastes.
Grafted apple trees in Kenya bear fruit in 2-3 years, with full production expected in 5-6 years. Various factors contribute to the profitability of apple farming, among them the size of the farm, location, weather conditions, and market demand.
According to Farmers Trend, an apple orchard in Kenya can produce an average of 6 to 10 tons of apples per acre. If the average price of apples is Sh100 per kilo, then the gross sales from an acre of apple trees would be Sh600,000 to Sh1,000,000.
The costs of production for an apple orchard in Kenya can vary depending on the size of the orchard, the type of apple trees being grown, and the location. However, the average cost of production for an acre of apple trees is estimated to be Sh220,000.
After deducting the costs of production, the net profit from an acre of apple trees in Kenya can be significant. In a good year, the net profit could be Sh380,000 to Sh780,000.
