The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced an increase in miraa prices, effectively doubling the cost for Grade 1, Grade 2, and Alele varieties.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed the price adjustments, which take effect immediately.
“The government will continue to address market access challenges to increase export opportunities in both existing and new markets,” Kagwe stated.
Under the new pricing, a kilogram of Grade 1 miraa will now cost Sh1,300, up from Sh700. Similarly, Grade 2 prices will rise to Sh700 from Sh350, while the price of Alele miraa will go from Sh500 to Sh1,000 per kilogram.
Kagwe explained that the Miraa Pricing Formula Committee was formed under regulation 29 of the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023, to provide guidance on miraa pricing in Kenya.
“The committee evaluates production data, costs, supply, and demand to make recommendations for the sector,” he said.
The committee met on February 13, 2025, and, after reviewing input from farmers and traders, advised the ministry on the new pricing.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) is tasked with regulating, developing, and promoting Scheduled Crops, including miraa.
Miraa, or Catha edulis, known locally as Muguka, is a flowering evergreen tree, globally recognized as khat. It naturally grows in Meru, the Nyambene Hills, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu counties and has spread to other regions such as Marsabit, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Machakos, Makueni, Laikipia, and West Pokot as a means of diversifying income.
Many households in miraa-producing areas rely on it for their livelihood. It is estimated that over four million people are indirectly dependent on the sub-sector, and about 10 million people worldwide use miraa daily.
Miraa was officially designated as a scheduled crop in November 2016 under an amendment to the Crops Act (2013), enabling government intervention in its development, promotion, and regulation.
