Favourable weather: Potato prices hit record low in Nyandarua
KNA
Favourable weather conditions experienced in various potato growing areas in Nyandarua county yielded a bumper harvest leading to oversupply of the commodity.
A spot check by KNA revealed that the huge supply of potatoes has seen the price of the commodity decline to a record low at Nyahururu market with a 22 kg bag of potatoes is currently retailing at Sh350 compared to the previous price of Sh1,200 while a 2 kg tin of produce is retailing at Sh70 down from Sh150.
Staple food
Bernard Kariuki, a potato vendor at the Nyahururu open-air market said the commodity has flooded the market, forcing farmers to sell the produce at throw- away prices. He said consumers were smiling all the way to the market as most of them have opted to turn potatoes into their staple food.
“The current price is affordable compared to buying maize flour to feed a whole family,” said Mary Wanjiku, a resident in the region.
Kamau Wanjiru, a potato farmer in Mairo Inya area, said the crop yield was good due to the well-distributed rainfall in the month of April and July this year.
“Potatoes are being harvested this month in Nyandarua which has increased their supply in the market leading to a drop in the price,” he added. “Compared to other varieties ‘shangi’ is the most expensive and common.
Which also sells more in the market retailing at Sh300 for 22 kilos.” However, despite the drop in producer prices, most of the food outlets in Nyahururu town still maintain the same price for the potato dishes on offer.
Fried potatoes
Susan Wambui, who owns a food joint in Nyahururu town said when the prices were high she sold fried potatoes at Sh50 and Sh80 for half and full quantity servings respectively and still sells it at the same price.
“Nothing has changed in the pricing but we have increased the quantity of the food served to our customers,” she added.
Last month, Nyandarua Agriculture CEC John Karitu said the county intends to provide farmers with certified seeds and subsidised fertilisers to ensure production was sustained.
