Kenyan potato sector highlights growth opportunities and key challenges

A growing population, increased export demand, adoption of technologies, and increased breeding of improved varieties provide opportunities for the Kenyan potato industry, according to Severino Manene, Kenya’s Assistant Director for Agriculture, Horticulture Division, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development, when he spoke to World Potato Markets ahead of the World Potato Congress in October this year.

Severino Manene:

"Potatoes are grown in different regions across the country. The crop is mainly grown in 29 out of the 47 counties in the country, with 16 major and 13 minor growing counties. These areas fall within the altitudes 1 500 to 3 000 metres above sea level focused in the mountainous region, mainly in Western, Rift Valley, Eastern and Central part of the country."

Much of the main potato-growing region is ideally suited to the crop with rainfall of between 1 200mm and 1 800mm a year and temperatures ranging from 15°C and 24°C. Meanwhile, investment in irrigation and technology is opening up other regions to potato growing.

Severino Manene:

"About 90% of Kenyan potato production takes place on small-scale farms of between half an acre to two acres. Production on large-scale commercial farms is commonly done under irrigation."

On those smaller farms, 90% of what is produced is sold to the local market. Potatoes are often grown as pure stand, but rotated with maize, beans and other crops.
Production and growing conditions
There are two main potato-growing periods. One during the Short Rains season from the beginning of October to the end of December and one during the Long Rains period from the beginning of March until June, when the majority of the crop is grown. Growers with irrigation can produce in other times of the year giving them an advantage.

Potato production ranges from two million to 2.5 million tonnes. In 2024 2.118 million tonnes of potatoes were produced in Kenya, according to UN FAOSTAT making it the 31st largest grower in the world and the 5th largest in Africa, after Egypt, Algeria, South Africa and Morocco.

In 2024 Kenya harvested the 13th largest potato area in the world at 225 950 hectares, nestling between Egypt and France. It was estimated in 2023 that the potato value chain, added 61 billion Kenyan shillings (USD 470 million) to the country’s economy. The country’s potato industry is small but growing.

Kenya annual potato hectares and yields and Kenya annual potato production in tones

Challenges and productivity

Manene said current yields are about 10 tonne/hectare, but the potential is for yields of between 30 and 40 tonnes a hectare, but that is not being achieved due to a variety of challenges including, lack of crop rotational (increasing population) leads to land fragmentation), threats from pests and diseases, and a lack of Climate Resilient Varieties.

Since 2016 Kenya’s potato industry has been guided by the National Potato Strategy, published by the National Potato Council of Kenya in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, and Livestock development, and other partners. The current strategy has nine aims:

1. Strengthened institutional, Legal and regulatory framework;
2. Enhanced research in the potato industry;
3. Potato variety development and seed production;
4. Increased potato production;
5. Post-harvest management, value addition, marketing and utilisation;
6. Enhanced import, export and trade;
7. Enhanced use of data management tools;
8. Increased participation of youths and women in potato value chain businesses;
9. Enhanced industry coordination and funding.
 

Potatoes in Kenya are mainly grown in high-altitude regions between 1,500 and 3,000 meters above sea level. (Courtesy: Fresh Crop Marketing and the World Potato Congress)

Breeding and infrastructure

Potato breeding is undertaken by the Government’s KALRO agency (Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation, in collaboration with other partners such as the International Potato Centre (CIP). They are working together to develop and disseminate improved potato varieties, which are suitable for local conditions and meet market demands.

Severino Manene:

"There is a need for climate resilient varieties, including those that can withstand disease such as late blights, and the ones that can withstand erratic weather patterns due to Climate Change phenomena."

A lack of potato storage and cooling facilities means that there are limited options as to when growers sell their stocks potatoes which does not allow them to maximise crop values. The Government is supporting construction of cold storage facilities, which are managed by Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) and Farmer Co-operatives. This gives growers greater flexibility in selling their potatoes throughout the year.

Growers are also being encouraged to join marketing groups to give them more strength within the potato value chain and reduce reliance on ‘middlemen’ in selling of potatoes.

Small-scale farmers account for around 90% of Kenya’s potato production, supplying mainly local markets. (Courtesy: Fresh Crop Marketing and the World Potato Congress)

Market trends and exports

Severino Manene:

"There is a lot of potential for the Kenyan potato industry. The population continues to grow and the movement of people from the countryside to towns provides opportunities. Meanwhile, export opportunities are increasing too."

The population of Kenya was estimated at 53.3 million people in mid-2025, according to Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, with growth of almost 2% a year. Latest UN median population estimates show that the population could be 82 million by 2025 and top 100 million sometime in the 2070s.

Data from the Population Matters organisation shows that 30% of the country is urban and that is forecast to increase to 50% by 2050, with an urbanisation growth rate of 3.4% a year. The capital Nairobi has a population of 4.4 million, with 1.2 million people living in the coastal city of Mombasa. There are five other cities with populations of more than 300 000. The increase in population means that potato consumption is falling, despite stable production. UN Food and Agriculture Organisation figures show that average potato and potato product consumption in 2023 was 29.7 kilograms a head a year, which down from 32.1/kg/person/year 10 years before.

Kenya population in millions (1955-2025). Blue columns projections to 2095

There is evidence of increased trade in potatoes. Kenyan customs data shows that the export of fresh potatoes is variable from year to year, with the vast majority of trade with neighbouring Uganda. National statistics data shows that in 2025 almost 250 000 tonnes of fresh potatoes were exported by Kenya, which was up 97.6% on the 2024 figure. Uganda accounted for all but 760 tonnes of the trade, with South Sudan taking 595 tonnes. There has been a steady increase in exports since 2020, with the 2025 total a record. The average price of Kenyan fresh potato exports fluctuates. In 2025 it was at an average of US$313/tonne.

There are also increasing seed potato exports. In 2025 1,125 tonnes of seed potatoes were exported from the country, which was up from 128 tonnes in 2024. Uganda accounted for 915 tonnes of the trade and Somalia 209 tonnes. The average price of those exports in 2025 was US$502/tonne.

There are very few processed potato product exports from Kenya, with only 340 tonnes of frozen fries, dehydrated or chip/crisp shipments recorded in 2025. Uganda and Tanzania are the main recipients of Kenyan products. Processed product imports were at 940 tonnes in 2025, with Egypt responsible for 670 tonnes of that trade.

Kenyan annual fresh potato exports in tones & USD/tone

Outlook

Severino Manene:

"Kenya has ideal conditions for growing potatoes in many parts of the country. It has skilled and enthusiastic farmers who are becoming more organised and have greater access to technology and more resilient varieties. The populations of Kenya and its neighbours are growing strongly and becoming more urban which means there is greater need for more potatoes. Eating habits are changing and as the market develops there is more potential for potato farmers to have a greater share of the value of the potato chain."