Post Details

If you are walking through Thika market, you might have come across a unique green fruit. Upon inquiring, you will be informed that it's known as white sapote. Quite a unique name, right? You decide to try and find that it has four seeds and a banana-flavored taste with hints of peach. When overripe, white sapote has the same taste as an overripe banana. Isn't this interesting?

The growth of exotic trees has increased, ranging from plants such as dragon fruits to lychee to white sapote. White sapote fruits are tropical fruits native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America but have become "naturalized" in Kenya. It's an unusual fruit in terms of color, size, and shape and has a creamy, custard-like texture, and can be used fresh or used to make drinks and delicious desserts.

Best Places To Grow

Although they can flourish in various climates, white sapote grows best in warm climates. They thrive in the warmest temperatures and highest humidity levels in coastal Kenya, especially in Lamu, Malindi, Kilifi, and Mombasa.

Other ideal areas are the warm, humid areas in the highlands of western Kenya, such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Kisumu, and parts of Eldoret in the Rift Valley. They also grow in central parts such as Nyeri, Embu, and Meru.

Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui have a hot and dry climate, which provides the perfect conditions for growing white sapote.

Can White Sapote Farming Be a Profitable Agribusiness?

Generally, white sapote farming can be a profitable agribusiness, considering the growing number of consumers and higher demand. Since the fruits are still not popular in Kenya, there is an opportunity to create a market for them.

These trees are relatively easy to grow and care for and can produce high yields properly. White sapote is a high-value crop that can be a good source of income.

Here are some tips for starting a profitable white sapote farming business in Kenya:

• Choose a good location for your farm. White sapote trees need full sun and well-drained soil.
• Plant high-quality trees. There are several varieties of white sapote trees, so do your research to choose the best variety for your climate and growing conditions.
• Provide proper care for your trees. White sapote trees need regular watering, fertilization, and pest control.
• Market your fruit. White sapote fruit is still not popular, so you will need to create a market for it. You can do this by selling the fruit directly to consumers or by selling it to wholesalers or retailers.

Following these tips can increase your chances of success in white sapote farming.

Market

The market for white sapote in Kenya is a promising one. Farmers and businesses that capitalize on this market opportunity can reap significant rewards. The fruits can be sold in the Muthurwa market in Nairobi, the Marikiti market in Mombasa, the Kiboswa market in Kisumu, and the Thika markets. Alternatively, you can target wholesalers, direct consumers, and restaurants. One fruit sells for between Sh 10 – 40 locally.

The demand in the export markets is high in California, Florida, the United States, and Australia. It's also marketable in Central American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Are you familiar with white sapote fruits?

Would you like to learn more about white sapote farming and get started in the promising agribusiness? Oxfarm provides excellent information and agronomy support on how to get started. Be on the lookout for new resources on white sapote farming on our blog.

At Oxfarm, we sell high-quality seedlings at Ksh 300.

Interested? Contact us today!