There is always something to appreciate about fruits, whether it's the visual appeal, nutritional value, superior flavor, or high profits. For new growers, fruit farming may seem like unfamiliar agribusiness. Most may think it's extremely labor extensive, requires high start-up capital, and has specific management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling practices. However, this is not always the case in producing high-quality, delicious fruits. Here are the top five reasons you should try fruit farming. Enjoy all the benefits the trees bring to the table. Check them out!

  • High Returns on Investment

As a grower, you want something that will give a steady flow of revenue with low management costs. Fruit farming is a highly lucrative agribusiness that can fetch you high returns within a short duration. For instance, dragon fruits retail at Kshs 800 to Kshs 1200 per kilo. One Hass avocado sells at a price of Kshs 12 to 25 in the local market. After the yield stabilizers, one acre can give you a net profit of Kshs 1.78 million per year. Tree tomato fruits sell at about Kshs 80 per kilo and can produce between 20 – 50kg in the first year. That translates to about Kshs 3.8 million per year for an acre with 1200 trees while working with an estimate of 40kg per tree (40*80*1200). All other fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, and citrus, have high returns on investment.

  • Easier Than Ever to Grow

All trees require little care and have a high output. For instance, for macadamia, you only need to plant the trees in the right soil, control pests and diseases, feed the plants well with manure and proper fertilizers, water them on time, and harvest the fruits well. With improved varieties such as Murang'a20 for macadamia and Hass for avocado, growing has become easier than ever. Select the best site, plant the right varieties, manage the plants well, and employ proper harvesting and post-harvest techniques, and buyers will be at your orchard earlier than expected for your high-quality fruits.

  • Wider Than Ever Harvest Window

It's always amazing to plant something that has an extended harvesting period. Growing different fruit trees allows you to fill a sequence of harvest slots. With the perfect weather in the country, you can achieve an all-year-round harvest. All you need to do is grow your fruit trees at intervals and ensure they are harvested at different times of the year. For instance, you can harvest citrus from January to March, macadamia and Bananas from March and July, strawberries and Hass from June to August, grapes from September to October, and mangoes from December to February.

  • They Require Only a Small Space

You are not limited to the number of fruits to plant. As a farmer, you can utilize the small spaces in your yard. For instance, youcan plant dwarf fruit tree varieties on patios and near fences as landscaping plants. Besides, you can grow them even on balconies or indoors. Also, you can grow them in the kitchen garden or small garden. Either way, you will fetch good returns. If you have a large piece of land, it's even better. It means more profits. Some fruits you can grow in small spaces include Hass avocado, dwarf fruit varieties of trees such as citrus, vines like grapes, and exotic fruits like dragon fruits.

  • It's a Lifetime Investment

Commercial fruit trees are a long-term investment that can provide a steady flow of income for many years. However, the orchard needs proper planting, care, and harvesting practices. Have a look at the lifespan of several fruit trees:

  • Hass avocado 50 Years
  • Pixie oranges 50 Years
  • Macadamia 40 – 60 Years
  • Kiwi 40 Years
  • Apples 35 – 45 years
  • Dragon fruit 20 Years
  • Plums 10-15 years
  • Tree Tomatoes 12 Years
  • Strawberries 5-6 years
  • Pepino Melon 4.5 years
  • Local and International Market

The demand for fruits is increasing, and the local and export markets are growing significantly. For instance, the market for Hass avocado has expanded in Europe, China, and Mauritius. That translates into better prices and higher demand. Isn't this an opportunity to produce more?

  • Where to Purchase Seedlings?

OxfarmAg offers high-quality, certified fruit tree seedlings to help kick-start your farming agribusiness on the right path. Place your order today, and let's grow together!