Apricot is one of the few fruit crops in Kenya that has remained largely below the radar of commercial farmers. Unlike mangoes, avocados, or citrus, apricots are still grown on a relatively smaller scale across the country. This, however, is not a reflection of the crop’s potential. In fact, the very scarcity of apricots on local shelves is what makes them a commercially intelligent choice for farmers willing to explore beyond the mainstream.

For smallholder farmers, agribusiness investors, and beginners, apricot farming represents a longer-term but rewarding investment. The tree takes three to four years to bear its first fruit, which discourages those seeking quick returns. Yet, for those with patience, apricots offer an opportunity to enter a niche market with rising demand, particularly in the hotel, processing, and export sectors.

This guide provides practical information to help you evaluate whether apricots fit your farming operation. It covers suitable varieties, the critical ecological requirement of “chill hours,” production practices, market dynamics, and realistic profit calculations based on grafted seedlings.

Understanding Apricot Chilling Requirements

The most important concept to understand before planting apricots is the “chilling requirement.” Apricot trees, like many temperate fruit trees, require a specific number of hours below 7°C during their winter dormancy to break dormancy properly and produce a good flower set in spring.

Different fruit varieties have different chilling requirements. Generally, varieties requiring 450 hours or below are termed “low-chill” and are suitable for warmer climates.

For apricots, the chilling requirement can range from as low as 300 hours to as high as 1,000 hours, depending on the variety. If a tree does not receive enough chill hours, it will experience uneven bloom, remain dormant for longer, and produce a poor crop. This means that Kenyan farmers must select very low-chill apricot varieties (ideally 300-400 hours) to succeed in the country’s highland conditions.

Why Apricot Farming Is Underutilised in Kenya

Apricot cultivation in Kenya remains relatively limited despite its potential to thrive in various regions across the country. This is primarily due to a lack of awareness among farmers and the long wait for the first harvest. But for those who have started, the results are encouraging.

William Musili, a farmer in Machakos, is among those cultivating apricots on a small scale, proving that the crop can thrive in Kenya’s climate when the right practices are followed. The biggest challenge he notes is the market—not because there is no demand, but because production volumes are still too low to attract consistent buyers. This creates a classic chicken-and-egg situation. However, for early adopters, it means less competition and the ability to command premium prices from buyers who are eager for local supply.

Ecological Requirements and Site Selection

Climate and Chill Hours

Apricots grow best in regions with distinct seasons—warm summers for fruit development and cool winters for dormancy. In Kenya, this restricts production to highland areas with cooler night temperatures.

Altitude: Apricots generally prefer altitudes of 1,500 to 2,500 metres above sea level.

Variety Selection: You must select low-chill varieties. Suppliers should be able to confirm the chilling requirement of their seedlings. Many farmers are turning to grafted varieties that combine low-chill adaptability with high-quality fruit traits. As the organic producer notes, grafting ensures better yield and resilience against diseases and drought.

Soil Requirements

Apricots flourish in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.5). Heavy clay soils that become waterlogged will cause root rot and must be avoided. Sandy loam soils rich in organic matter are ideal.

Before planting, incorporate organic matter like compost into the soil to enhance structure and fertility. A soil test, costing approximately KES 2,000 to KES 5,000, is strongly recommended.

Sunlight and Wind Protection

Apricot trees require full sun—at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily—for good flowering and fruit ripening. Strong winds can damage blossoms and break branches, so protection is necessary. If your site is exposed, establish windbreaks using faster-growing trees before planting apricots.

Propagation: Grafted Seedlings vs. Seeds

This is the most important decision you will make. Apricot trees can be grown from seed (the stone inside the fruit), but this approach has significant disadvantages for commercial farmers.

William Musili notes that “most people do not want to wait that long” for seed-grown trees, which is why home growers turn to nurseries to purchase young grafted trees that can be transplanted. For commercial farming, always choose certified grafted seedlings from a reputable nursery. The slightly higher upfront cost is repaid through earlier fruiting, better yields, and higher-quality fruit.

Land Preparation and Planting

Spacing

Apricot trees require room to spread their canopy. The recommended spacing is 5 metres by 5 metres to 7 metres by 7 metres. At a spacing of 6 metres by 6 metres, one acre can accommodate approximately 110 to 120 trees.

Wider spacing allows light to penetrate the canopy, improves air circulation (reducing disease pressure), and gives each tree access to adequate water and nutrients.

Planting Hole Preparation

Dig holes of 60 centimetres wide and 60 centimetres deep (2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet). Mix the topsoil with two debes (approximately 20 litres) of well-decomposed manure or compost. Add 100 grams of DAP or NPK 17:17:17 fertiliser per hole.

If using grafted seedlings, ensure the graft union remains at least 15 centimetres above the soil surface. Planting too deep can cause the scion to root, negating the benefits of the rootstock.

Planting Timing

Plant at the beginning of the rainy season to give seedlings maximum natural moisture for establishment. In areas with reliable irrigation, planting can occur year-round, though avoiding the hottest dry periods reduces transplant shock.

Orchard Management Practices

Watering

Regular watering is essential, especially during fruit development, while ensuring good drainage to prevent root rot. Young trees require consistent moisture for the first two years as they establish their root systems. Mature trees are somewhat drought-tolerant but produce higher-quality fruit with supplemental irrigation during dry spells.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient system, delivering water directly to the root zone and reducing waste.

Fertilisation

Apricots are moderate feeders. Apply balanced NPK fertiliser according to soil test recommendations. A general guideline is:

• Young trees (years 1-3) : Apply CAN at 100 grams per tree twice per year. Apply NPK 17:17:17 at 100 grams per tree annually.

• Mature trees (year 4 onwards) : Apply NPK 17:17:17 at 200 to 300 grams per tree twice per year (start of long rains and short rains). Apply CAN at 200 grams per tree after fruit set. Apply well-decomposed manure at 10 to 20 kilograms per tree annually.

Pruning

Annual pruning is essential for apricot trees. It enhances air circulation, removes dead branches, maintains shape, and encourages the growth of fruiting wood.

• Year 1-2: Train the tree to develop a strong central leader and 3 to 4 well-spaced scaffold branches.

• Year 3 onwards: Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches annually. Thin out crowded branches to improve light penetration.

Pest and Disease Management

Apricots face several pest and disease challenges. Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) techniques is the most effective approach.

Fruit flies lay eggs in ripening fruit, causing premature drop and making fruit unmarketable. Use pheromone traps for monitoring and control. Protein baits mixed with insecticides reduce fruit fly populations.

Aphids colonise new growth, causing leaf curl. Control with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Brown rot is a fungal disease that affects blossoms and fruit. Remove and destroy infected fruit. Apply copper-based fungicides during flowering.

Powdery mildew appears as white powder on leaves. Improve air circulation through pruning and apply sulphur-based fungicides when necessary.

Pest netting is an effective physical barrier that can protect against bird damage and some insect pests.

Growth Timeline and Realistic Yields

Development Stages

• Year 1-2: Tree establishment. Remove any flowers that appear to direct energy to vegetative growth.

• Year 3: First harvest. Trees produce small numbers of fruit (5 to 20 fruits per tree).

• Year 4-5: Increasing production (20 to 50 fruits per tree).

• Year 6 onwards: Full production begins (50 to 100+ fruits per tree).

Yield Expectations

A mature apricot tree under good management can produce 50 to 100 kilograms of fruit annually, depending on variety and growing conditions.

On a per-acre basis, assuming 110 trees at 50 kilograms per tree, the potential yield is 5,500 kilograms (5.5 tonnes) per acre. Under optimal management, yields can reach 10 tonnes per acre or more.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling

Harvest Timing

Patience is key. Harvest just before complete ripening to prevent bruising during handling. Apricots are climacteric fruits—they continue to ripen after harvest. For best quality, pick when the fruit has developed full colour but is still firm to the touch.

Post-Harvest Handling

Apricots bruise easily. Handle fruits gently and place them in a single layer in shallow containers. Do not stack fruit deeply, as the weight of upper layers bruises lower layers.

Fresh apricots have a short shelf life of 5 to 7 days under ambient conditions. For longer storage, keep at 0°C to 4°C with high humidity (90-95%).

Market Opportunities and Realistic Pricing

Value Addition: The Dried Apricot Advantage

One of the most attractive aspects of apricot farming is the value addition potential through drying. Dried apricots have a much longer shelf life (6 to 12 months), higher value, and access to export markets that fresh fruit cannot reach.

Export data confirms that Kenyan dried apricots are already finding buyers internationally. A sampled export transaction from April 2025 recorded dried apricots leaving Kenya at 8.97 USD per kilogram (approximately KES 1,160 per kg) . This represents a dramatic premium over fresh fruit prices.

For context:

Value Update: The export transaction specifically references the product type “NAT***** ********” originating from Kenya to Uganda, indicating that even regional African markets are paying premium rates for processed Kenyan apricots.

Market Channels

Local fresh markets: Wakulima Market (Nairobi), Marikiti (Mombasa), and markets in Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret provide immediate cash sales. Due to limited local supply, apricots are a specialty item that can command premium prices.

Supermarkets: Naivas, Carrefour, Quickmart, and other chains may stock apricots when available. They require consistent quality and food safety standards.

Hotels and restaurants: High-end establishments use apricots for desserts, breakfast buffets, and juice blends. Building direct relationships with chefs can secure consistent off-take.

Processing and value addition: Drying is the most accessible value-addition option for smallholders. A simple solar dryer (KES 10,000-15,000 construction) can produce export-quality dried apricots.

Export: The dried apricot export market is active. Smallholder farmers can access export through farmer cooperatives or aggregation centers that consolidate product to meet volume requirements.

Calculating Potential Returns

Establishment Costs per Acre

*Note: Drip irrigation, if not already installed, would add KES 60,000-80,000 to the first-year investment.*

Revenue and Profit Projections

Fresh Fruit Scenario (Year 5 onwards):

Dried Fruit Scenario (Value Addition):

Drying concentrates the fruit; approximately 3 to 4 kilograms of fresh fruit produce 1 kilogram of dried apricots.

Note: The dried apricot export price of USD 8.97/kg (approximately KES 1,160/kg) is based on actual transaction data from April 2025. This represents the highest-value market channel currently available to Kenyan apricot farmers.

Common Challenges and Practical Solutions

Challenge 1: Long Wait for First Harvest

Apricots take three to four years to produce their first fruit.

Solution: Intercrop during the first three years with annual crops like beans, vegetables, or even groundnuts to generate income while trees establish.

Challenge 2: Market Access

Production volumes are currently low, making it difficult to attract consistent buyers in fresh markets.

Solution: Focus on value addition. Dried apricots have a longer shelf life and can be aggregated across multiple farms to reach export volumes. Join or form farmer groups to aggregate produce.

Challenge 3: Finding Low-Chill Varieties

Not all apricot varieties will fruit properly in Kenya’s warm highlands.

Solution: Purchase grafted seedlings from suppliers who specifically breed low-chill varieties. Organic Farm offers grafted apricot seedlings organically grown in Murang’a, Kenya, certified for disease resistance and high yields.

Challenge 4: Pest and Disease Pressure

Fruit flies and fungal diseases can reduce yields without regular monitoring.

Solution: Implement integrated pest management. Use pheromone traps for fruit flies. Practice preventative fungicide applications during flowering. Pest netting provides physical protection.

Practical Takeaways for Kenyan Farmers

Select the right variety. Chilling requirement is everything. Ensure your supplier provides low-chill apricot varieties suited to Kenya’s highland conditions.

Start with grafted seedlings only. Do not grow apricots from seed for commercial production. Grafted trees fruit in three to four years, produce consistent quality, and have better disease resistance.

Plant at the right spacing. Apricots need room. Do not plant closer than 5 metres by 5 metres. Proper spacing reduces disease pressure and improves fruit quality.

Plan for value addition from the start. The best prices for apricots are in dried form for export. Invest in simple drying facilities and explore cooperative export arrangements.

Test your soil before planting. Apricots require well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.5. A soil test prevents costly establishment failures.

Be patient during establishment. The first three years require investment with limited fruit returns. Plan your cash flow and intercrop to generate income during this period.

Moving Forward with Apricot Farming

Apricot farming in Kenya is a hidden gem with big potential. The crop is underutilised, which means less competition for early adopters willing to invest in quality orchard establishment. The three to four year wait for the first harvest requires patience, but the returns—particularly through dried apricot exports—justify the wait.

The export market is real. A single transaction recorded in April 2025 shows Kenyan dried apricots valued at 8.97 USD per kilogram. As more Kenyan farmers enter apricot production, aggregated volumes will attract more buyers, strengthening the market further.

For farmers in highland regions with well-drained soil and access to water, apricots offer a long-term, high-value orchard enterprise. They are not a quick-profit crop. But for those willing to follow the rules—selecting low-chill varieties, planting grafted seedlings, managing irrigation, and adding value through drying—apricots deliver returns that few other fruit crops can match.

Farmers seeking certified grafted apricot seedlings (low-chill varieties), quality orchard inputs, and expert guidance can contact Organic Farm via website: www.organicfarm.co.ke, Call or WhatsApp: +254712075915, or email: oxfarmorganic@gmail.com.