Hanse AgroStore Africa builds electricity-free potato storage for farmers in Kenya

KENYA – Hanse AgroStore Africa, a leading supplier of agricultural storage facilities, has built an electricity-free potato storage shed in Kiptororo, a rural area in Nakuru County, giving farmers a new way to store their harvest and make better sales decisions.

The company built the facility for the Chemare Farmers Cooperative Society, which represents hundreds of potato growers. The compact shed stores about 50 tonnes of potatoes and reduces heat during the day through insulated panels and a steel frame. At night, farmers open doors and hatches to let cool air enter, then close them at dawn to keep temperatures lower during the day.

This method allows farmers to store potatoes for several weeks to months longer with fewer quality losses. “This system helps farmers keep their produce in good condition for longer periods,” said a representative from Hanse AgroStore Africa. “They can decide when to sell instead of rushing to the market.”

The cooperative also welcomes the change. “We now have more flexibility in sales and less waste,” said a Chemare Farmers Cooperative official.

The shed components came from Zeeland and arrived in Kenya as prefabricated parts before installation in Kiptororo. The project shows how simple storage systems can strengthen food supply chains in rural areas.

Prices, production, and sector gaps

Kenya’s potato prices in January 2026 vary across regions. In Nairobi and Mombasa, potatoes sell at KES 42.85 to 66.96 per kilogram, equal to about US$0.27 to US$0.42 per kilogram. Eldoret records about KES 53 per kilogram, or US$0.33.

Nyeri averages KES 42, or US$0.26. Nakuru stands at KES 59, or US$0.37. Kisumu records KES 62 to 67, or US$0.39 to US$0.42. In Meru, the Shangi variety sells at KES 45 to 49, or US$0.28 to US$0.31, while Isiolo records KES 55 to 62, or US$0.34 to US$0.39.

Potatoes rank as Kenya’s second most important food crop after maize and support about 3.5 million people across farming, transport, and retail.

Farmers still face low yields of about 7 to 12 tonnes per hectare compared with a potential of 40 tonnes per hectare. Poor seed quality, limited mechanisation, and fragmented value chains continue to affect output.

Plans and future direction

The National Potato Council of Kenya rolled out a 10-year master plan to improve certified seed distribution, mechanisation, irrigation, and market linkages.

Demand for processed potatoes such as chips and frozen products continues to rise, while urban retail and restaurant markets expand. Investment in storage and logistics also grows, which could reduce losses and stabilise prices.

Together, these developments show how practical storage systems and sector planning can change how Kenyan farmers produce, store, and sell potatoes.

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