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Growing Apples for Profit

Commercial apple production can be a lucrative source of income, whether growing on a small scale or large scale. However, certain factors may affect your production and profit margins, such as the climate, available space, management practices, and the orchard location. From recent surveys, there has been a high demand for apples locally and in the export market, with farmers still unable to meet the growing demand. This means that apple farming is an excellent opportunity to invest in.

Why Invest in Apple Farming?

Commercial apple farming is a lucrative agribusiness with many opportunities. There are various reasons why you should invest in apples. These include:

• Apple farming is a popular venture with many people already in the business.
• Apple farming is an easy agribusiness for both beginners and experienced farmers. The plants require little care, and you can learn about the crop from existing farmers and extension officers.
• Commercial apple farming is highly profitable. The fruits have a high demand and retail at premium prices. You can sell each fruit at Kshs 15 – 30 locally.
• It’s a long-term venture that will provide you with a stable income for the next 20 years.
• The trees are hardy and require little care. You do not need to be highly experienced for you to grow them.
• Apple trees are very hardy and grow easily. You can easily take care of them, even if you are a beginner.
• Marketing the fruits is relatively easy. Since the fruit is already established, its market, demand, and price are set. You can focus on marketing other products.
• Setting up a commercial apple orchard requires less capital.
• Apples are highly nutritious with many health benefits, which fuels the demand. Also, you will enjoy fresh fruits from your orchard. As the saying goes, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away,' you will live a healthy lifestyle.

Climate requirement

In Kenya, various varieties are well-suited to the climate in most parts of the country. They include Gold rush, Jona Free, Anna, Golden Dorset, Liberty, William Pride, Pristine, Enterprise, and Winter Banana. These varieties are more resistant to fire blight and apple scab.

• Apples flourish in areas with moderate, well-distributed rainfall with an annual range of 800 to 1100mm per year.
• Also, they perform best in deep, well-drained, aerated, fertile soils with a pH range of 5.8 to 7.0.
• They thrive in moderate temperatures. They also have chilling requirements. Ensure that you plant varieties with low chilling requirements.
  • How Profitable Is Apple Farming

Grafted varieties mature early, taking about two to three years to produce a bountiful harvest. By the 5^th year, you will already be experiencing the profitability of the trees. They have an extended life span of more than 20 years. A mature tree can produce about 500 fruits per season when well managed. An acre can accommodate about 500 trees. With a retail price of Kshs 15-30, a  farmer can earn about Kshs 10,000 per season and over Kshs 500k from one acre. The yields increase over the years, which means more revenue and profit.

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