Kenya is a country known for thriving orchards and abundant fruit production. With its favorable climate and fertile soils, it has turned into a major producer of fruits. Growing zones spread from the coastal lowlands to the highland areas of Central, Eastern, and Rift Valley to Western and Northern Kenya.

While fresh consumption remains high locally and internationally, there is immense potential for fruit processing, value, and addition. 

The Fruit Processing Landscape in Kenya

Fruit processing involves transforming raw fruits into various forms, such as jams, juices, purees, concentrates, dried fruits, and frozen products.

The government has been proactive in supporting the fruit processing industry to enhance value-added efforts.

In 2017, for instance, the Makueni County Government established the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant to increase value addition for mangoes in the region and to reduce exploitation by middlemen.

Kitui County, under Charity Ngilu, purchased a $20 million fruit processing machine in 2020 to promote fruit processing and reduce post-harvest losses in the region. This shows the government's commitment to processing and value addition.

Value Addition: A Game-Changer for Farmers

Value addition is the process of enhancing the value of a product through processing, adding it to another product, packaging, or branding. In the context of fruit farming, it helps farmers earn higher incomes while reducing post-harvest losses.

For instance, macadamia nuts may be used to add value to cosmetics, chocolate products, nut bars, cakes, nut butter, and breakfast cereals. As for apples, they can be used in juice making and salads.

Value-added opportunities

There are different ways of adding value to the fruit farming landscape. We have compiled a few that you could consider.

Juice Production

The country’s supply of fruits makes it an excellent location for juice production. With the rising number of juice processors, like Coca-Cola, Makueni Fruit Processing Plant, Afya, Jetlak, and Delmonte, the demand for fruits in juice making is soaring.

Most fruits, like apples, pears, and oranges, are used in different juice flavors. For instance, you may find Fanta Passion with a flavor of passion fruits or Afya Mango Juice with a mango flavor.

Juice processors and entrepreneurs create refreshing beverages that are in high demand by extracting the juice from these fruits and branding them into unique products for local and export markets.

Jams and jelly-making

The production of jams and jellies provides another avenue for value addition. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and guavas are turned into homemade-style jams and jellies with different tastes and flavor profiles.

Drying, Dehydration, and Canning

Drying and dehydration are processes that involve removing moisture from fruits to extend their shelf life. This can be done with fruits like mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and berries. They are delicious, rich in nutrients, and easy to transport.

It's easy to find canned or dried fruits in supermarkets in different parts of the country. Dried fruits act as an ingredient in cereals, baked products, and trail mixes.

Canned fruits like peaches and pineapples are used in baking and desserts.

Fruit Pulp and Puree Production

Production of fruit pulp and puree involves removing seeds, skins, and any other unwanted parts. The resulting product is a thick, uniform paste that is used as an ingredient in food products like baby food, yogurts, sauces, smoothies, and ice creams. Strawberries and nuts are heavily used in this role.

Freezing

This is an effective method for preserving fruits while maintaining their nutritional value over an extended period of time. 

Frozen fruits are used in various applications, like smoothies, ice creams, and bakery products.

Beverages and Wine Production

Apart from food products, fruits are heavily used in beverages and wines. For instance, passion fruits and pears are used to add value to beverages.

Grapes are used in wine production, catering to a growing market of wine enthusiasts. For wine grapes, you should consider the moisture content, tannin structure, color concentrations, and acidity.

Fermented fruits are used in alcoholic beverages like cider, wine, cocktails, and vinegar.

Cosmetics. Macadamia, avocado, papaya, and other fruits are used in oils, creams, and facial masks.

Why value addition?

Apart from extending the shelf life, value addition offers more benefits like:

·         Reducing wastage

·         Minimizing post-harvest losses

·         Increasing income

·         Diversifying markets

·         Creating employment

Get Started With Frutunda

At Frutunda, we are committed to seeing you succeed and access new opportunities with value addition. 

We offer certified, high-quality fruit seedlings to help you get started. Is setting up an orchard complicated for you? We have fruit farming packages to enable you to establish a vibrant orchard in the right way.

Whether it’s grapes, mangoes, oranges, citrus, bananas, or exotics, we have the seedlings you may need. Contact us today!