In recent years, the Kenyan agricultural industry has faced numerous shortfalls. Fruit farmers, in particular, have struggled at times to find ways to increase their profit margins and stay competitive in the market.

Value addition is an excellent solution that has helped farmers stay afloat and make a fortune from their investments.

The government has invested heavily in creating value-added centers to increase how much farmers make. For instance, the Makueni County Government invested in a processing facility to enhance the value addition of mangoes in 2017, a move that has helped reduce exploitation by brokers.

Value addition entails changing a raw form of an agricultural product into something new through extraction, processing, cooling, drying, packaging, or any other form that makes it different from the raw product.

Why take the value-added route?

Value addition has numerous benefits and reasons why farmers should take that path. Check out a few:

  • Increased profit: value addition through processing, packaging, or branding increases a product’s value and the overall returns to the farmer.
  • Market Diversification: Value addition presents an excellent opportunity for Kenyan fruit farmers to diversify their market reach. For instance, processed fruit juices can be marketed to health-conscious individuals, while dried fruits can target customers looking for nutritious, on-the-go snacks. Through diversification, farmers can tap into new market segments and reduce reliance on a single product. This cushions them from market fluctuations. Value addition increases a farmer’s bargaining power. 
  • Enhanced shelf life of a product. Most fruits are highly perishable and can only last for a short time. Value addition helps reduce post-harvest losses as it extends the shelf life of a product.
  • More export opportunities. With the increasing demand for healthy food products, Kenyan value-added fruit products have the potential to capture the attention of international buyers.

How are fruits used in value addition?

With the increasing value-added fruit products, you may ask a question about how fruits are used in value addition. Well, here are various methods of how!

  • Drying or dehydration. This process removes the water content from fruits making them more compact and easy to store. Dried fruits like figs, apricots, and raisins are popular snacks that are also used in cooking and baking.
  • Juicing. Fruits are extensively used to make flavorful drinks. Juice extraction methods include pressing, crushing, and blending.
  • Canning. Fruits can be canned or preserved in jars by heating or cooking them in preserving liquid or sugar syrup. Canned fruits like pineapples and peaches are mainly used in baking and desserts.
  • Freezing. Frozen fruits are used in preserves, desserts, and smoothies.
  • Fermenting. This is a process that converts natural sugars in fruits into alcohol or acid. Fermented fruits are used to make alcoholic beverages like cider and wine.
  • Infusing. Fruit-infused oils and vinegar are used in salads and cooking, while fruit-infused alcohols are used to make cocktails.
  • Pickling. Pickled fruits are used as condiments or added to salads and sandwiches.
  • Jelly, jams, and preserves. Fruits can be made into spreads such as jams, jelly, and preserves. These spreads can be used on toast, in baking, or as toppings for desserts.
  • Snacks, chips, and crisps. The fruits can be turned into chips and snacks. For instance, bananas and apple chips are popular snacks.
  • Cosmetics and skincare. Fruits such as macadamia, papaya, and avocado can be used in creams, oils, and facial masks.
  • Fresh-cut fruits can be sliced, diced, or packaged into convenient, ready-to-eat portions.
  • Fruit-based beverages. Fruits can be blended into smoothies or fruit-based drinks. Grapes can be used in wine making.

Do it the Frutunda way!

Frutunda is designed to help you identify and assess these opportunities and build successful businesses in the fruit industry. Besides, we help farmers in each step, from inception into fruit farming to harvesting to marketing.

We offer certified, high-quality fruit seedlings to help you get started. Also, we have fruit farming packages to help you establish a vibrant orchard in the right way.

Contact us today!

Call / Text: 0710588060
What'sApp: https://wa.me/254710588060