Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Trade in Urban Kenya: Implications For Policy and Investment Priorities
This study looks at the urban consumption patterns of fresh fruits and vegetables and the major supply chain systems used in the distribution of fresh produce. The study integrates issues of supply chain organization and performance into the analysis of consumer demand for fresh produce. In particular, the study looks at how system organization and performance affects the ability of the system to satisfy consumer demand for fresh produce. The study pursues these main objectives, namely, to estimate the household consumption of fruits and vegetables per adult equivalent; to examine the shopping patterns of fresh produce consumers as compared to other food purchases; and to examine the various supply chain systems for fresh produce.
Consumers' preference for quality in three African indigenous vegetables in Western Kenya
African Indigenous Vegetables are an important source of income generation for smallholder farmers in Western Kenya. Though grading of produce and investment in post-harvest handling is limited, these results show a strong market for high quality African Indigenous Vegetables at a premium price. A choice experiment approach was used to evaluate consumer preference for high quality in three Kenyan cities for three vegetable species: nightshade (Solanum spp.), spider plant (Cleome gynandra), and amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus). Female consumers and those who generally spent more on produce were more likely to select high quality vegetables, but the market for these vegetables differed greatly by species. Consumers were significantly more likely to choose high quality nightshade if they had a home garden while preference for high quality spider plant was more variable from city to city than either of the other two vegetable species. Overall, 71% of consumers surveyed chose at least one high quality product at a premium price; this is a strong indication that consumers in Western Kenya are willing to pay slightly more for African Indigenous Vegetables of the best quality.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Patterns and Supply Chain Systems in Urban Kenya: Implications for Policy and Investment Priorities
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