Potato prices have risen sharply, with traders attributing the increase to reduced supply from major producing areas and high transportation costs.
Traders in Chuka town said potatoes supplied to them are mainly sourced from Meru, Narok, Naivasha and Nyandarua, where unfavourable weather conditions have affected production and reduced supplies from farms.
Kathomi Riungu, who operates Kalulu Stores, said a 90–100 kilogramme bag of potatoes that previously retailed at about Sh4,000 now costs between Sh6,500 and Sh7,500, depending on the source.
He said the rising cost of transportation has further increased the price of potatoes in Chuka, as traders incur high expenses transporting produce from farms to the market.
“Transport costs have considerably contributed to the increased potato prices, making traders pay more to transport potatoes from the farms to Chuka, forcing them to increase their selling prices,” she said.
Joy Gacheri, an employee at Vanka Stores, said consumers were feeling the impact of rising prices, with some households reducing the quantities they purchase.
“A kilogramme goes for Sh80, which is putting many households under pressure,” she said.
Gacheri said the popular Shangi variety is among the more expensive varieties in the market.
She said a 90–100 kilogramme bag of Shangi potatoes costs between Sh7,200 and Sh8,000, depending on prevailing market prices.
Gacheri said increased transportation costs were also eating into traders’ profit margins, while some customers were opting to buy smaller quantities due to high prices.
Meanwhile, Rael Gatwiri, who runs Kariche Stores, said potato prices were higher compared with last month and the same period last year, mainly due to reduced supplies.
“The shortage is being felt even at the farm level, where farmers have fewer potatoes available for sale,” she said.
Gatwiri, however, expressed optimism prices could decline in the near future if supplies from Narok increase, noting that farmers from the region were expected to bring larger quantities of potatoes to the market.
Traders warned potato prices could remain high if the shortage of rainfall persists.
According to the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), potato farming plays a critical role in the country’s food security and income generation, especially in Nyandarua, Nakuru and Meru counties.
However, for decades, farmers have struggled with limited access to clean, certified seed, exposing them to low yields and high disease vulnerability.
“About 800,000 smallholder farmers cultivate potatoes on 296,526–370,658 acres,” NPCK says.
“Together, they produce 1.5 to two million tonnes annually, which is vital for food security and economic growth. Yet yields remain significantly below potential.”
Kenya’s average potato yield currently stands at just seven–12 tonnes per hectare, far below the achievable potential of at least 40 tonnes.
Pests, seed-borne and soil-borne diseases, and declining soil fertility are among the biggest challenges.
This has left farmers facing a “yield gap” of more than 20 tonnes per hectare, translating into significant income losses.
NPCK says efforts to address these challenges are underway, including the dissemination of improved, disease-resistant varieties such as Sherekea and now 1G70, alongside climate-smart agricultural practices.
The Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations, 2019, were introduced to streamline the sector by ensuring registration of growers, standardisation in packaging (a maximum of 50kg per unit), grading, labelling and quality control.
The potato council says these measures seek to improve industry standards and protect farmers from exploitation while enhancing market competitiveness.
“Potatoes contribute significantly to Kenya’s economy, with an estimated annual market value of Sh50 billion ($500 million). Yet the country’s yields remain far below the global average,” the council says.
