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The Rise of Kenyan Supermarkets and the Evolution of their Horticulture Product Procurement Systems
Author(s) -
Neven David,
Reardon Thomas
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
development policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1467-7679
pISSN - 0950-6764
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7679.2004.00271.x
Subject(s) - diversification (marketing strategy) , procurement , business , agriculture , product (mathematics) , kenya , niche market , agricultural economics , middle class , commerce , economics , marketing , geography , market economy , political science , geometry , mathematics , archaeology , law
Supermarkets are rapidly penetrating urban food retail in Kenya and spreading well beyond their initially tiny market niche among the urban middle class into the food markets of lower‐income groups. Having penetrated processed and staple food markets much earlier and faster than fresh foods, they have recently begun to make inroads into the fresh fruits and vegetables category. Supermarkets in Kenya already buy about half the volume of produce exported, and thus represent a significant new ‘dynamic market’ opportunity for farmers. The important changes in their procurement systems bring significant opportunities and challenges for small farmers, and have implications for agricultural diversification and rural development programmes and policies.