An overabundance supply of fruits in Nakuru city, especially mangoes, oranges, and yellow passion has reduced the prices to 50 percent and despite the reduced prices, the suppliers are surprised by the low-slung sales.
James Kariuki, a distributor of the fruits from Kerio Valley in Marakwet County said, they are amazed at the low sales, even after reducing the price from Sh10 to five shillings per fruit.
Interviewed by KNA today at the Top Market, he asked the government to consider installing a fruit processing industry in the valley, to reduce the high amounts of fruits that rot daily in the area.
He said, unlike in the past, when a lorry would be emptied as quickly as it arrives at the Wakulima market, the retailers are nonchalant about their arrival due to a lack of customers.
However, he said if only there were solar fruit drying units at the market, the retailers would buy, dry, and preserve them for the drought months when fruits are sourced from neighbouring countries.
He added that the high prices of maize has forced most families to concentrate on carbohydrates, just to fill their children’s stomachs, and they are no longer concerned about balanced diets. Currently, a sack of 90kg maize has increased from sh.5000 to sh.6000.
Kariuki noted that their worst nightmare was the disposal of the rotten fruits, since the county demands for payment before entering the Giotto dumping site, hence intensifying their losses.
