Arabfields, Mira Sabah, Special Economic Correspondent, Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya’s potato industry continues to demonstrate resilience and growth potential, even as structural limitations constrain its full capacity. Recent data indicate that the sector contributed significantly to the national economy while expanding its presence in regional markets.
In 2025, Kenyan potato production stabilized around 2.1 million tons, reflecting steady output from small-scale farmers who dominate the landscape. These growers, often managing plots between half an acre and two acres, account for the vast majority of the crop cultivated across 29 counties at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Yields, however, remain modest at approximately 10 tons per hectare, well below the genetic potential of 30 to 40 tons per hectare that experts believe is achievable with improved practices.
Exports have emerged as a bright spot in this story. Fresh potato shipments surged dramatically in 2025, rising by nearly 98 percent year on year to approach 250,000 tons. Uganda absorbed the bulk of these volumes, with smaller quantities heading to neighboring South Sudan. Seed potato exports also gained traction, climbing to 1,125 tons in 2025 from just 128 tons the previous year, fetching an average price of about 502 US dollars per ton. Processed potato exports stayed limited at around 340 tons, while imports of the commodity reached 940 tons during the same period.
Farmers like Mary Wanjiku, a smallholder in Nyandarua County who has tended her potato fields for over a decade, describe the challenges firsthand. “We work hard with what we have, but the rains are unpredictable now, and diseases take their toll,” she said during a recent visit to her farm. Such accounts highlight the human dimension of the sector, where over a million households rely on potatoes for income and food security.
Severino Manene, Assistant Director for Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized the need for targeted interventions. “There is a need for climate resilient varieties, including those that can withstand disease such as late blights, and the ones that can withstand erratic weather patterns due to climate change,” Manene noted. He pointed to ongoing breeding efforts led by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization in collaboration with international partners, which aim to develop hardier seeds suited to local conditions.
Limited crop rotation, persistent pests and diseases, and fragmented landholdings due to population pressures continue to suppress productivity. Yet opportunities abound as Kenya’s population grows and urbanization accelerates demand for convenient, affordable staples. Irrigation allows some producers to extend beyond the traditional two rainy seasons, potentially increasing output per plot.
Looking ahead, industry observers project continued expansion if key bottlenecks are addressed. With enhanced access to quality seeds, better storage infrastructure, and expanded processing facilities, production could rise toward 2.5 million tons or more by the end of the decade. Exports may further diversify beyond fresh tubers into value-added products, capitalizing on regional market growth. The sector already added substantial value, estimated at over 60 billion Kenyan shillings in recent years, and experts foresee this contribution climbing as farmers gain greater shares of the value chain through organization and technology adoption.
Manene expressed optimism about the trajectory. “Kenya has ideal conditions for growing potatoes in many parts of the country. It has skilled and enthusiastic farmers who are becoming more organized, with greater access to technology and more resilient varieties. As the market develops, there is more potential for potato farmers to have a greater share of the value of the potato chain.”
As stakeholders push for a comprehensive master plan to guide the industry through 2035, the focus remains on bridging the yield gap while supporting the smallholders who form the backbone of this vital agricultural segment. The coming years could mark a turning point, transforming potatoes from a subsistence staple into a more dynamic driver of economic and nutritional security.
