'Watermelon is now like gold': Kirinyaga traders hit by worst shortage in years

Traders say the scarcity, which they describe as the worst since 2017, has been driven by rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of production, forcing them to source watermelons from distant counties and even neighbouring countries.

Speaking to Wananchi Reporting on Thursday, Nelson Kariuki, a wholesaler at Kagio Market, said transport costs have nearly tripled, making it difficult to maintain a steady supply.

He said traders now pay about KSh110,000 to transport a lorry of watermelons from Mpeketoni in Lamu County, up from about KSh40,000 previously. The shortage has left buyers from counties including Nyahururu, Nyeri, Chuka, Nairobi and Nakuru waiting for days in search of the fruit.

Kariuki added that some traders have resorted to sourcing watermelons from Tanzania and Uganda, but there is no indication of when supplies will stabilise.

The shortage has also affected casual workers who rely on the watermelon trade. Loader Mwangi Kamau said many young people who earned a living loading and offloading the fruit have been left without work as deliveries become increasingly infrequent.

Another trader, Peter Warui, attributed the crisis to the rising cost of farming, saying many producers can no longer afford to grow watermelons. He noted that transport costs have climbed to more than KSh100,000 per lorry, further pushing up prices.

The limited supplies have sparked fierce competition among buyers. Traders said a lorry that arrived at Kagio Market on Wednesday was immediately surrounded by buyers from several counties seeking to secure stock.

Peter Wanjohi, a trader at the market, said he has been forced to refund customers after failing to obtain watermelons to fulfil their orders.

A visit to Kagio Market found most stalls empty, with the few available watermelons already sold before reaching retailers. Traders said they are now waiting for the next deliveries from Lamu.

The shortage has also affected small-scale vendors who sell sliced watermelon in Kagio town. Many have switched to selling pineapples and other fruits to stay in business.

Vendor Silvia Maina said customers continue to ask for watermelon, but traders have little choice but to explain that supplies have dried up, forcing them to seek alternative sources of income.

Casual labourers who depend on the market have also seen their earnings disappear. Loader Irungu Beth said workers who arrange and load watermelons for traders have been left idle due to the lack of stock.

Mike Murondo, another trader, said the watermelon business supports many households in the area, adding that hotels, shops and other businesses that depend on the fruit are also feeling the impact of the shortage.

Traders are now urging the government to intervene by addressing the high cost of fuel and agricultural inputs, saying lower production and transport costs would help restore supplies and stabilise prices.