List Of Rare Fruits Earning Kenyan Farmers Millions

• Agriculture accounts for about 21.2% of the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the growing of rare fruits was gaining momentum
• An acre of dragon fruits earns farmers between KSh 750,000 and KSh 1.9 million in profits, depending on market prices
• Wilson Ndung'u, a pepino melon farmer in Nyeri, told TUKO.co.ke he makes an estimated KSh 120,000 monthly

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Agriculture remains the dominant sector in Kenya's economy.

According to the 2023 Economic Survey published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the sector accounts for about 21.2% of the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Some farmers who have grown rare crops are earning millions of shillings annually.

Which are high-value fruits in Kenya?

1. Dragon fruit

The production of dragon fruit is gaining popularity in Kenya.

The fruit presents a chance for growers to join the rapidly expanding market because demand for it is steadily rising in national and worldwide markets.

Although it originated in South and Central America, it is now grown throughout most of the world. This fruit comes in four types. One has white flesh, one has pink flesh, and one has red flesh. The fourth type has white flesh and yellow skin.

It is one of the most expensive fruits in Kenya, retailing at between KSh 800 and KSh 1,500 per kilogramme.

According to Farmers Trend, an acre earns farmers between KSh 750,000 and KSh 1.9 million in profits, depending on market prices.

However, as of June 2024, several farmers had reported a huge drop in the price of dragon fruit, with one being sold locally for as little as KSh 50.

In a show by Lynn Ngugi, a farmer disclosed that when the emand of the dragon fruit was still high, it was being sold at between KSh 800 and KSh 1000.

A section of Kenyans, howver, insist that the fruit is still retailing at KSh 1,000 per kg, or KSh 400 per fruit in their regions.

2. Jack fruit

A jackfruit from a jackfruit tree can weigh up to 40kg, making it one of the largest fruits in the world.

Rich Farm Kenya reported that over 67% of Kenya's jackfruit is produced in the coastal and western counties like Busia.

Due to its versatility and nutritional value, there has been a global increase in the popularity of jackfruit.

A single jackfruit tree can yield up to 300 fruits, and a ripe fruit sells for between KSh 400 and KSh 650. A farmer can earn between KSh 120,000 to KSh 195,000 from a single tree.

3. Pepino melon

Wilson Ndung'u, a farmer in Nyeri, sells pepino melon fruits, which ripen in 75 days, earning KSh 120,000 a month.

Ndung'u collects about 1200 kg of fruits from his two-acre farm, which he then sells for KSh 100 per kilogramme.

"In 2009, while I was still a student at Gichungo Secondary School, I began cultivating pepino after learning about it from a friend. I started off with just one plant, but I've since grown to two acres with roughly 9,000 plants," Ndung'u told TUKO.co.ke.

4. Persimmon fruit

Due to the great demand for persimmons in domestic and foreign markets, its cultivation has become increasingly popular in Kenya in recent years.

The persimmon tree is native to China but is grown in most parts of the world.

Depending on inputs and labour expenses, the total cost of production per acre for persimmon farming in Kenya varies between KSh 180,000 to KSh 350,000.

An acre of land owned by a persimmon farmer contains 500 trees, providing an average of 600 fruits annually.

In the market, persimmons are sold for an average of KSh 100 per piece, meaning farmers can reap profits of up to KSh 29 million.

Kenyan woman mints millions from apples

Meanwhile, a Kenyan woman achieved unprecedented financial prosperity through apple farming.

Her excitement soared to new heights when renowned YouTuber Wode Maya graced her farm with a visit, magnifying the magnitude of her accomplishments.

Kate Wambugu proudly proclaims herself a millionaire, a testament to her unwavering dedication and relentless determination.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.