Grape is a woody vine that produces clusters of edible berries. They can be eaten raw or can be used to process wine and other products such as jam and grape juice.
There are plenty of health benefits in consuming grapes for they are a rich source of Vitamins- A, C, K and minerals such as iron, copper, manganese.
Grapes are widely cultivated all over the world due to the fact that they are non-climatic and can thrive in different climatic conditions but they prefer warm to hot temperatures.
By 2016, the global consumption of fresh table grapes was estimated at 20.9 million tonnes, up from about 15.6 tonnes in 2009/2010. A similar trend is also shaping up in Kenya, although the greatest demand was registered in China, India and the European Union.
It is the wine and juice processing varieties, however, that seem to have a higher demand in Kenya; where up to 90 percent of the supply is imported; despite the country having some of the best conditions for its growth.
This trend is however set to change as more farmers venture into the lucrative business. In grapes farming in Kenya, most grapes are produced in Meru. Naivasha, Mandera, Kibwezi, and Mombasa are also cited as the best regions to grow grapes.
Kenya is considered one of the best places in the globe to grow grapes because of the cool climates. The warm days, cool nights, volcanic soils, as well as moderate rainfall in most parts of the country, provide the optimum conditions to grow quality grapes.
In Kenya, grapes can be used to create thousands of jobs and millions of shillings in income because there is a good market within the country. There is a ready market throughout the year and new wine companies that use grapes as their main raw material are setting shop in Kenya.
Established companies such as East African breweries ltd are thinking of entering the wine market as they seek to diversify. The future of this crop is promising.
A good percentage of the grapes consumed in Kenya is imported and mostly sold to the high-end market that pays a good price for them- a kilo goes at around 400-500 Ksh.
Wine producing companies such as Kenyan wine agencies do import the grapes they use because of the good quality of imported grapes and lack of local supply.
A hectare of a well-spaced population should carry between 2000 and 3000 vines, estimated to yield about 13 tonnes per harvest under good management.