Murang’a County Government has issued an urgent advisory to mango farmers after a glut in the market slowed uptake of produce by contracted manufacturers.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata explained that favourable weather conditions in 2025—heavy rains in August followed by reduced rainfall in October—triggered increased flowering and fruiting, leading to an oversupply.
While the bumper harvest signals strong agricultural productivity, it has exposed the fragility of value chains when supply outpaces demand. Farmers allied to the Lower Murang’a Mango Cooperative Society are struggling with uncollected produce, raising fears of post‑harvest losses.
National Mango Production Trends (KNBS Data 2019–2024)
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), mangoes remain one of Kenya’s most important fruit crops, with production fluctuating over the past five years:
| Year | Area (Ha) | Production (Tons) | Value (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 60,392.2 | 732,795.0 | 12.47B |
| 2020 | 50,624.0 | 883,480.7 | 13.96B |
| 2021 | 56,683.8 | 738,480.6 | 12.28B |
| 2022 | 60,176.5 | 776,909.8 | 17.93B |
| 2023 | 66,688.7 | 782,787.9 | 14.71B |
| 2024* | 75,640.8 | 776,834.1 | 15.99B |
(*Provisional data for 2024)
This data shows that while production volumes have remained relatively stable—around 770,000–880,000 tons—the value of mangoes has risen sharply, peaking at nearly KSh 18 billion in 2022.
The expansion of acreage, particularly in 2023 and 2024, reflects growing farmer investment and county‑level support.
Why Value Chains Matter for Smallholder Farmers
For smallholder farmers, value chains are more than just market linkages, they are lifelines that determine income stability, resilience, and long‑term growth. When cooperatives, processors, and buyers align effectively:
- Harvesting practices improve: Proper timing ensures quality fruit that meets manufacturer standards.
- Market access expands: Partnerships like Murang’a’s collaboration with Food for Education open alternative sales windows, linking farmers to school feeding programmes in Nairobi, Murang’a, and Kiambu.
- Income security rises: Negotiated deals with juice processors such as Sunny Mango, Vertz, and Premier Foods have already lifted farm‑gate prices from Ksh 3 to Ksh 23 per kilo.
- Community benefits multiply: Beyond farmer earnings, expanded school meal programmes create jobs, build kitchens, and deliver nutrition to thousands of pupils.
The County’s Response
Governor Kang’ata has urged farmers to follow cooperative harvesting guidelines and avoid picking immature fruits, which manufacturers reject. He emphasised that stabilising the mango market requires discipline at the farm level and coordinated action across the chain.
To cushion farmers, Murang’a has partnered with Food for Education to absorb surplus mangoes into school meals, reducing waste while enhancing child nutrition. Deliveries to Ruiru have already begun, marking a critical step in balancing supply and demand.
“Met Wawira, Food for Education Boss. We discussed expanding the Murang’a Schools Meals Pilot—from the current 45,000 pupils to all 205,000 pupils in phases—while hinging farmers into the programme. This will mean building more kitchens and creating more jobs,” wrote Governor Kang’ata on his X platform.
We’re proud to partner with @HonKangata to buy hundreds of thousands of mangoes directly from Murang’a farmers.
They’ll be distributed across Nairobi & Murang’a counties starting Monday.
School feeding programs don’t just nourish kids, they create demand for farmers. 🌱🥭 https://t.co/5ue1pYhPf3
— Wawira Njiru (@wawiranjiru) January 31, 2026
Building Resilient Futures
The Murang’a case underscores a broader lesson: smallholder farmers thrive when value chains are structured, diversified, and inclusive. By linking production to processing, school feeding, and retail markets, counties can protect farmer incomes, reduce losses, and strengthen food systems.
Murang’a’s mango glut is a reminder that productivity alone is not enough, without strong value chains, farmers remain vulnerable. With coordinated partnerships and disciplined practices, however, surplus can be transformed into opportunity.
