Unlike in the past, modern farming is done as a business. Therefore, the market is a fundamental part of completing your journey as a farmer. Although cabbage is amongst the most consumed vegetables with many health benefits, having a defined market is a game changer from being an ordinary farmer to a most profitable venture.
Cabbage can be sold locally as a cash crop due to its high bulky demand at supermarkets, schools, and hotels or exported to countries such as Tanzania, Oman, the Netherlands, Iceland, and France.
Cabbage Market
The cabbage market is broad since it is amongst the most consumed vegetables with which it can prepare a wide variety of dishes. The market supply largely depends on farmers’ ability regarding the scale of their farming, whether large-scale or small-scale.
Large-scale farmers tend to reach a wider market than small-scale farmers, relying on local markets and neighboring customers.
Below are five types of cabbage markets in Kenya:
1. Direct Sale to Hawkers and Consumers on the Farm Cabbage Market
The neighbors at the farm and small traders within the farm locality form this market, thereby becoming the largest contributors to this kind of market. They usually buy in smaller amounts since it is for direct consumption. However, the smaller traders always buy the amount that fits their daily sales only.
2. Direct Sale to Wholesalers, Retailers, or Consumer-group Cabbage Market
The wholesalers are traders who buy the cabbage in bulk to distribute it to other markets or regions. The retailer also buys in large quantities to meet the specific demands of customers in various markets. The consumer group consists of schools, hotels, and other entities that buy the cabbage at a farm gate price.
3. Small Municipal Markets or Farmers’ Cabbage Market
Municipal markets are government markets mostly located within towns and consist of many traders under one roof who sell their produce at different prices. In this market, customers enjoy the freedom of price and choice.
4. Famers Market
Farmers’ markets occur either daily at the same location or on specific days at different locations. During market days, the farmer targets the population that visits the market for various purposes.
5. Export Cabbage Market
High-quality specifications generally characterize export markets. Each customer has instructions on specific packaging, cooling, or precooling requirements, all of which have to meet a specific market need and expected prices.
Cabbage Prices in Mombasa
A kilo of cabbage costs Ksh. 33, while a 126kg bag costs Ksh. 4,300 in Mombasa. Prices are slightly higher than in other regions that are enjoying lower prices since most of the land is not under cultivation, thereby relying on inter-county importation, which transportation and other costs increase the prices.
Marikiti Market Cabbage Prices Today
At the Marikiti market, the price of cabbage has risen from Ksh.40 to Ksh.90. This is a 125% rise due to the low supply resulting from the delay of the long-rainy season and the prolonged drought season experienced around the country.
Cabbage prices today range from Ksh.10 to Ksh.50 depending on the region, market location, the season of production, and the consumer market. In places such as cities and dry regions, the price is higher since there are fewer farmers and less land is under cultivation. Therefore, they depend on supply from other productive regions.
However, the export market for cabbage is the most profitable of all markets, though it requires high transportation costs for the exported product to meet the Fairtrade export guidelines.
Price of Cabbage in Kenya Today
The current price of cabbage at the market ranges from Ksh.10 to Ksh.50, depending on the head size. Alongside other vegetables, cabbage is the most affordable at the market in many parts of Kenya.
Kenya’s market prices are based on the economy, financial, commercial, and logistics that are reflected nationwide to maintain fairness and order among the buyers and sellers.
5 Factors that Affect the Prices of Cabbages in Kenya
However, these prices change depending on the following factors:
1. Consumer Demand for the Cabbages
When prices of related goods are lower than the cost of cabbages,, the prices will decrease since the consumer will shift to the other cheaper alternative, thus forcing the seller to lower the prices to make the sales.
2. Prices of the Cabbages
When the price of the cabbages is high, the consumer will buy fewer cabbages and supplement with other foods, lowering the demand. Therefore, the price will lower due to the decrease in demand.
3. The Cabbage Consumer Income level
The consumer income level varies; thus, other customers will tend to go for cheaper products other than cabbage that well fit the budget.
4. Cabbage Market Influx
When the suppliers exceed the market demand, the prices will decrease since most consumers will have many options on whom to buy at the lowest bargained price.
5. Consumer Test and Preference
Most consumers know the type of cabbage that suits their home consumption. Therefore, they will tend to choose the best that fits their needs, which can impact the prices of your cabbages.
Vegetable Prices in Kenya Today
Vegetables are parts of plants consumed wholly or in part by humans or animals as food, and they play numerous roles in the well-being of human health. Vegetables can be used in various forms, when cooked or raw, fresh, frozen, dried, and cut up or mashed.
Below is the classification of the common varieties of vegetables and their prices in Kenya today:
1. Leafy Green Vegetable
i. Lettuce Ksh.135 per piece
ii. Spinach, Ksh.30 per piece
iii. Broccoli, Ksh.199 per kg
iv. Sukumawiki, Ksh.30 per kg.
v. Coriander, Ksh.55 per piece
2. Cruciferous Vegetable
i. Cabbage, Ksh.40 per kg
ii. cauliflower, Ksh.190 per kg
iii. Brussels sprouts and Broccoli Ksh.199 per kg
3. Marrow Vegetable
i. Pumpkin, Ksh.95 per kg
ii. Cucumber, Ksh.199 per kg
iii. Zucchini, Ksh.153 per kg
4. Root Vegetables
i. Potato, Ksh.690 per kg
ii. Sweet potato
iii. Yam, Ksh.175 per kg
iv. Carrots, Ksh.119 per kg he
5. Edible Plant-Stem Vegetables
i. Celery, Ksh.225 per kg
iii. Shallots, Ksh.179per 2kg
iv. Leeks, Ksh. 175 per kg
6. Fruit Vegetable
i. Tomato, Ksh.129per kg
ii. Capsicum, Ksh.188 per kg
iii. Pepper, Ksh.175 per kg
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