Fresh Vegetables To Export From Kenya
Are you a business looking for fresh vegetables to export but don’t know where to source them? If you’re puzzled, you shouldn’t be; not anymore! FrutPlanet is a leading vegetable exporter with an extensive network of farmers and can be resourceful to you and your business.
Even though there are over 20,000 edible vegetables, this list covers the top 9 vegetables to export. We’ll also share the products’ current wholesale price per kilogram to give you a quick head start.
Top 9 Vegetables to Export From Kenya
As a leading vegetable exporter, these are the best vegetables to export that we can help you source. Later, we’ll guide you through the export process and where we export from.
1. Winged Beans
Winged beans, also known as wing beans, are lime green, feathery legumes. This plant grows up to 30 centimetres, but harvesting takes place before the plant is fully developed. The bean’s pod is smooth, but the surface is waxy.
The largest producers of winged beans include China, Morocco, the United States, Netherlands, amongst others. In addition, Kenya ranks as one of the major producers, exporting most of its winged beans to Europe and the united states.
The wholesale prices of winged beans in 2022 range between US $1.63 to $3.50 per kilogram. However, the price may fluctuate over time due to demand and supply. The price in Kenyan shilling is approximately KES 200 to KES 430 per kilogram.
Where do you export winged beans from? Kenya is one of the largest producers of winged beans. The country stands out because farmers are strict followers of international standards for agricultural producers.
Pros
- It is an easy vegetable to export to the global markets.
- All Kenyan agricultural we export are certified by the Kephis, FDA and other bodies.
- Farmers have a reputation for producing organic products through environmentally sustainable practices.
- Some local exporters, including FrutPlanet, can help you deliver the products within 2-4 working days.
Cons.
- Not all exporters deliver winged beans.
2. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is one of the best vegetables to export, known for its enormous health benefits. The vegetable resembles broccoli, with the head as the only edible part. You can buy cauliflower online from leading exporters such as FrutPlanet.
The demand for Cauliflower has increased over time, causing a spike in wholesale prices. In 2019 and 2020, the wholesale price per kg cost US $2.6 and $2.91, respectively. However, the current wholesale price for cauliflower in 2022 is between US $3.48 and $3.80. The price in Kenyan Shillings is 414.20.
According to World Trade Organization, the world’s largest cauliflower exporters include Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Kenya features as one of the leading exporters of cauliflower in Africa.
Although most farmers in Kenya are small-scale producers, most cauliflower is destined for export. These farmers partner with local exporters, including FrutPlanet, to market and deliver their products to international clients.
But why export cauliflower from Kenya through FrutPlanet?
Pros
- Kenyan farmers produce cauliflower organically.
- Exporters such as FrutPlanet can help deliver bulk orders.
- Unlike most exporters, FrutPlanet guarantees 2-4 days of delivery.
- Cauliflower has higher contents of vitamins C and K.
- It has a longer shelf life than most vegetables.
Cons
- The prices keep fluctuating.
3. Courgettes
Courgette, also known as zucchinis, is long green oblong that resembles a cucumber. These vegetable grows on vines and is best edible when young and small. Courgettes are tastiest when fresh as most of the fluid containing the essential minerals is reserved within the vegetable.
You can buy fresh courgettes online and other vegetables to export by requesting a quote on FrutPlanet.
Most local farmers have ventured into courgettes farming, shipping ups of 5000 metric tonnes annually since 2019. The world’s largest producers of courgettes include Spain, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Kenya ranks well amongst the largest producers of courgettes by being one of the largest producers in Africa.
Over five varieties farmed in Kenya include Simba F1, Green Zucchini, Ambassador F1, Black Beauty, and Cera F1. Are you looking for a particular courgette variety that you can order online stress free? Request a quote from FrutPlanet.
The courgette’s price per kilogram over the years has greatly varied, with a kilogram of courgettes going for $0.5 in 2020. However, the wholesale price skyrocketed in 2022 to about USD 1.06 per kilogram.
Pros
- It is easy to source and deliver fresh courgettes.
- Kenyan farmers only use organically certified practices
- The price per kilogram is affordable
- Exporters such as FrutPlanet can help deliver bulk orders.
Cons
- Courgettes are highly susceptible to physical damage.
4. Onions
Onions are some of the most popular root vegetables used in the world today. The vegetable has high concentrations of antioxidants and sulphur-containing compounds with low concentrations of calories. You can buy onions online and other vegetables to export effortlessly by requesting a quote from FrutPlanet exporters.
There are numerous categories of onions, but mainly, they are categorised according to their colour. As a result, some of the most popular varieties include red, white, and yellow onions. Even though other varieties include Spanish onions, the most conspicuous varieties amongst Kenyan farmers are red and white onions.
The world’s largest exporters of onions include China, India, and the United States. In Africa, Egypt tops as the largest producer, seconded by Nigeria. Tanzania and Kenya come later on the list, with the latter exporting over USD 2.5 million in 2021.
Kenya’s current wholesale onion prices are between USD 0.99 to 2.34 per kilogram. The price in Kenyan shillings starts from KES 121.53 per kilo. The price in 2019 was USD 0.83 but peaked at US $2.69 in 2021. Are you looking to export onions in bulk? Request a quote from FrutPlanet today.
Pros
- Onions have a long shelf life.
- Packing onion for long-distance delivery is hassle-free
- Onions are not susceptible to physical damage.
- FrutPlanet can help deliver bulk orders.
Cons
- The wholesale price per kilogram is highly unpredictable.
5. Eggplant
Eggplant is a purple, spongy, absorbent fruit that’s a must-have in most cuisines. The vegetable’s skin and seeds are consumable but have a low content of macronutrients. Eggplant vegetables vary in size, shape and colour. Small eggplant globes are about 2 inches, while the longer, larger varieties are about 12 inches.
Also locally known as Biringanya or brinjal, eggplant is a highly valued plant by Kenyan farmers. Most of the eggplant vegetable cultivated in Kenya is destined for export. The export values were slightly over one million in 2021. You can buy vegetables to export online, including eggplant, by requesting a quote from FrutPlanet today.
China, India, Egypt, and Turkey are the world’s largest eggplant producers. The world’s largest producer, China, produces over 35 Million tonnes. Even though Kenya is not one of the largest producers, it accounts for about 750K tonnes annually.
The wholesale prices of eggplant in 2022 in Kenya range between USD 1.67 and USD 1.81 per kilo. The price has stagnated at $1.81 since 2019, making it more predictable than most vegetables in this list.
Pros
- Sourcing eggplants online and other vegetables to export is easy with FrutPlanet.
- Eggplants have a long shelf life.
- Different sizes and shapes are readily available.
- FrutPlanet only sources organically grown eggplants.
Cons
- Eggplants are highly susceptible to physical damage.
6. Carrots
Carrot, a highly nutritious root vegetable, was first commercialised in Kenya in the mid-20th century. The vegetable available is usually orange, although various varieties may depict different colours, including purple, white, and yellow. Irrespective of the variety you’re searching for, you can order carrots in bulk online by requesting a quote from FrutPlanet.
The world’s largest producers of carrots include China, Uzbekistan, the Netherlands, and Spain. Algeria and Spain are the leading producers of carrots in Africa. Kenya produces various carrot varieties, including Nantes and Super Kuroda.
Most of the carrots and other vegetables to export from Kenya are destined for commercial use locally and internationally. In 2019, Kenya shipped over 12938 tonnes, but the figure has increased in recent years. Carrots export values net to about USD 2.98M annually.
Carrot’s wholesale price in Kenya in 2022 is between $0.21 and $0.23 per kilogram. The net price per kilogram is a slight degree from 2021, where the same amount of carrots could cost US $0.38.
Pros
- There are a dozen exporters, including FrutPlanet, to help source carrots.
- Carrots have a long shelf life.
- We help you source different varieties.
Cons
- The price constantly fluctuates.
7. Lettuce
Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that resembles kale or spinach and is used to make salads and sandwiches. Apart from lettuce leaves, the stem and seeds are also consumable. Lettuce commercialisation began in Asia. If you’re looking to buy bulk lettuce online but don’t know where to source, request a quote from FrutPlanet.
Spain, the United States, and Mexico are the world’s largest producers. Spain alone produces about 34% of the total lettuce consumed globally. South Africa and Kenya are Africa’s largest producers, with export destinations being African and Asian countries.
There are over four lettuce categories. However, local farmers in Kenya produce only a few varieties, including iceberg and butterhead lettuce. The wholesale price of lettuce in 2022 ranges between $1.7 to $4.14 per kilogram. The price per kilogram varies with the varieties, with iceberg lettuce being on the lower end.
FrutPlanet can help you source vegetables to export and other lettuce varieties you could be looking for. Request a quote to buy lettuce online today.
Pros
- The lettuce price per kilogram in Kenya is competitive.
- FrutPlanet offers short sourcing and exporting time frames.
- Lettuce is available in different sizes.
Cons
- Lettuce is susceptible to physical damage.
- Lettuce has a short shelf life at room temperature.
8. Mushrooms
Mushrooms have recently gained popularity, mainly as an alternative vegetable option. The commercialisation of mushrooms began in Paris, France, in the 17th century. In Kenya, the commercialisation of mushrooms has a limited history. Today Kenya produces about 500 tonnes of mushrooms per year.
The world’s largest producers of mushrooms include China, Italy, the United States of America, and the Netherlands. Zambia is the largest producer of mushrooms in Africa, selling about 96% of the total volume, while South Africa comes second at 3.4%. Even though Kenya doesn’t export many mushrooms, there are a considerable number of mushrooms small-scale farmers who we work with.
The wholesale mushroom price per kg ranges from USD 2.8 to USD 8.00 per kg, depending on the season. The price in Kenyan Shillings is KES 305.01 to KES 871.46 per kilogram. Are you looking to source mushrooms in bulk? Request a quote from FrutPlanet today!
Pros
- Mushrooms are highly susceptible to physical damage and deformity.
- Sourcing mushrooms may take longer than other vegetables.
- Packing for long-distance delivery is easy.
Cons
- The range in wholesale price per kilogram is wide.
- Mushrooms have a relatively short shelf life.
How To Export Vegetables From Kenya
At FrutPlanet, we’re not limited to exporting vegetables. We also export other products, including fruits. That said, the best thing would be to contact our customer support team via email or call should you want to export a product to this list.
But how can you export vegetables from Kenya, and how do we help?
Step 1: Identify a reliable fresh produce exporter
Sourcing fresh produce in bulk may be tiresome, especially if you do not have an existing team of farmers that you can source from. Fortunately, FrutPlanet has a network of farmers they can directly source from. Partner with FrutPlanet today and let reliable teamwork save you from the hassle of sourcing the order.
Step 2: Request a quote
Once you identify a reliable fresh produce exporter to partner with, you need to request a quote. The prices of fruits constantly fluctuate depending on the season, varieties, market supply, demand, and more.
Therefore, it’s wise to confirm the fruit prices by requesting a quote for the number of vegetables you want. Here at FrutPlanet, you receive feedback within 24 hours after requesting a quote. Unlike other exporters, our quotations are never exaggerated but reflect the cost of production and logistics on the ground.
Step 3: Confirm your order to purchase
Once the exporter gives feedback on the wholesale price per kilogram, you can continue with the purchase. Confirmation involves paying for the order and giving further specifications on size, etc. At FrutPlanet, the validity of the quotation is three days after the date of issue. Once the three days elapse, you have to request a quote again.
Step 4: Logistics and operations
After your order is confirmed, order processing initiates. The first step involves sourcing experts visiting farmers within our networks who have ready-to-harvest vegetables. You might be asking, how do you know which farmer to visit? Well, we keep a database of all the farmers and the type of products they produce, quarterly and annually.
FrutPlanet is committed towards sustainable organic farming methods. Unlike other exporters, we work only with farmers who believe in our values. Thus we work and monitor our farmers throughout the growing stages to ensure everything is consistent with our values.
Our team harvests the produce from the selected farmers, strictly following your guidelines. The harvest is then transported to our warehouse for cleaning, sorting, and packaging according to the buyer’s weight and other specifications.
All agricultural commodities are examined by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and have a quality assurance seal before leaving our premises for export.
Step 5: Shipping
The products leave the warehouse headed directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), carried by vans. Once at the airport, they are inspected, processed and loaded into the carrier. We attach all packages with order details and company details for easy identification.
We also email you the documents and offer an order tracking code. It is also worth highlighting that we ship by air, and the delivery takes 2-4 days.
Where To Buy Vegetables
Depending on the vegetable you want there are many ideal countries to source from depending on the vegetable you want. However, one of the leading producers of vegetables in Africa is known for organic farming in Kenya. Therefore, one of the best countries to source produce from is Kenya.
Kenya is a leading regional producer and offers slightly predictable and competitive wholesale prices per kilogram. What’s better, leading exporters such as FrutPlanet can help you source the order.
As illustrated, FrutPlanet handles everything while you sit back and wait for the delivery of the fruits. In other words, we source, process, pack, and ship to destinations worldwide. We ensure the process remains hassle-free all along while guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
If you are looking for vegetables to export, FrutPlanet exporters are your best bet. We are a leading exporter with an existing farmers’ network in the top 10 vegetable exporting countries. As leading exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables, we source fresh agricultural produce that’s farmed organically and does not contain harmful germs and contaminants.
Do you want a reliable vegetable exporter who guarantees customer satisfaction? Contact FrutPlanet or request a quote today!