By Lyzzie Owade

Peter Mwalele is supplying more than 20 grape seedlings a month to farmers in Kilifi County, meeting demand that has doubled over the past two seasons as coastal grape farms spread inland.

“I learned about grape farming from a friend who was growing it on his farm. I did my own research on the best conditions for grapes, and I started motivating farmers to grow them and explore the value they can get if they can’t sell the fruit immediately,” he said.

He began working with farmers in Madunguni, Kilifi County. Grapes need hot, dry conditions, but “many people believe grapes only do well in wet environments,” he said.

“I started with one farmer in Madunguni. He planted the vines and got good fruit. Seeing his results encouraged more farmers to buy seedlings.”

Grapes also thrive in sandy loam, which is common at the Coast, as well as loamy soil with good drainage, and full sun.

The best coastal areas for grapes are slightly inland from the shoreline, in Kilifi and around Malindi, as well as Msambweni, Matuga, the Shimba Hills foothills, inland pockets of Lamu, and hilly zones near Taita Taveta. 

“I tell farmers to plant slightly inland, one to five kilometres from the shore. Even a small rise in elevation improves drainage and airflow,” said Peter. Beachfront zones, swampy lowlands, and shaded areas are less suitable for grapes.

Seedlings are seasonal. “I encourage farmers to plant between April and May, when most are preparing maize fields. At that time, I can sell more than 20 seedlings a month and make around Sh20,000 because demand is high,” he said. 

He sells seedlings at Sh300 each.

Kenya imports 90 per cent of its grapes, but local production has been growing quickly, with registered growers in projects and exporting rising from 20 in 2015 to over 120 in 2021.

Grape growers do not need to register to grip the fruit.

“Farmers usually order five or more seedlings for easier delivery. I cover transport up to Kilifi; they pay the rest. Customers can choose red or green vines, as both grow well here. Off-season orders take about three days to deliver,” said Peter.

The seedlings typically take 12–18 months to produce first harvestable bunches. Full production is reached in three to four years, with initial yields of two to five tonnes per hectare and full yields of eight to 15 tonnes. 

Coastal farms generally reach 10–12 tonnes per hectare. But they can also produce two harvests a year, due to the climate, where the world’s biggest producers, such as France, only get one harvest a year.

The farmgate prices for grapes average Sh350 per kg, meaning two tonnes earn Sh700,000 and ten tonnes up to Sh3.5m. 

Local markets sell grapes for Sh300 to Sh450 per kg, while, in supermarkets, the grapes sell for Sh289 to Sh418 for 500 grams. The returns are higher still for exporters.

Peter Mwalele can be reached on 0702311912.

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