Okra is a delicious and nutritious green seed pod vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked.
It has many health benefits, such as balancing blood sugar levels, improving heart health, and providing vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
Okra is also easy to grow and thrives in many climatic conditions and that’s why it is popular in semi-arid areas of Kenya.
But you do not have to travel to semi-arid areas to spice up your cooking with Lady’s Finger.
This posts will detail where you can buy some okra for culinary and cosmetic needs.
First things first…
Okra Price per Kg in Kenya
The price of okra in Kenya varies depending on the season and location.
You can buy individual fingers or per Kg.
During the high season, the price can be as low as Kshs. 80 per kg, while during the low season, the price can be as high as Kshs. 300 per kg.
Places to Buy Okra in Kenya
Okra is a common vegetable available at your nearest grocery store.
You can also get them in multiple supermarkets in Kenya, including Tuskys, Naivas, Carrefour, and Quckmart among others.
Here are other most common places where you can buy Okra in Kenya:
1. Zucchini Green Grocers Limited
Get all your fresh produce under one roof at Zucchini Green Grocers on Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.
The grocer also has an online platform, Zucchini Greengrocers LTD, where you can buy your okra at Ksh. 230/=, 115/=, and 55/= for kilogram, half a kilo, and 200 grams respectively.
The Okra can be delivered straight to your home on Glovo.
Contact: 0702 372199
2. Wakulima Market
Wakulima Market is a fresh produce market that offers a wide range of vegetables, including Okra.
You can enjoy both retail and wholesale prices of Okra straight from the farm.
Take a walk in the market and get what you need together with the Okra.
The market is located on Haile Selassie Ave, next to Muthurwa.
3. Fig Tree Fresh Produce Market, Ngara
Fig tree fresh produce market in Ngara, Nairobi has all kinds of fruits and green vegetables, including okras.
Okras are brought to this produce market daily, which means that you will always get fresh options.
The market is located at Kienjeku Rd, Ngara, Nairobi.
4. Githurai Modern Market
Githurai market is one of the largest and busiest markets along the Thika Superhighway and is a major hub for traders and customers from different parts of the country.
Githurai market is well-known for its fresh produce, especially vegetables, and fruits, from nearby farms in Kiambu County and other regions.
5. Farmers Market Kenya
Ditch the middleman and deal with farmers directly on the Farmer market platform.
Search the Okra listings, order, and have the Okra delivered to your doorstep.
Remember that this is a peer-to-peer marketplace where you will be dealing with farmers.
Contact: +254701264770
6. Facebook Marketplace
Everyone is on Facebook nowadays. You can get crazy deals on Okra from sellers and farmers who retail their okra for as low as 90/=.
You will, however, have to agree with the vendor on transport and delivery as it is another peer-to-peer marketplace.
7. Kongowea Market
If you are out at the coast, visit Kongowea Market to get some “mabenda” at a pocket-friendly price.
The market comprises stalls that retail textiles, fresh produce, spices, and many other products.
Okra in the Kongowea market is sourced from nearby farms, upcountry, and even Tanzania.
You can get a large price selection from the different vendors retailing at the market.
8. Greenspoon
Greenspoon is an online retail shop that sells fast food and groceries online.
All you have to do to get your Okra is to sign up, add Okra to the cart and wait for delivery.
The Okra delivered is fresh and retails for as low as 198/= per kg.
Website: https://greenspoon.co.ke/
What to Look For When Buying Okra
When buying Okra from any of the mentioned places, you need to keep a few factors in mind to ensure that you get the best okra.
You don’t older okra that will be hard to chew when you finally cook it. Neither do you want those that are infected by insects.
- Fresh and Green: Any vegetable out there taste best when it is fresh. Chose okra that’s bright green and not dull or black.
- Slightly Firm: Try touching the okra that you plan to purchase. The best option should be slightly firm but not hard. Okras that feel hard are old and won’t cook well.
- Pointy Tip: Try to bend its pointy tip as well. Fresh okras have firm tips. Okras with bendy tips means that they have been sitting in the store for too long.
- Slender or Stout: Okras come in a wide range of sizes and what you are going to cook with them should dictate the size to opt for. If you plan to cook the pods as a whole (for fritters or curries, for instance), opt for the slender variety. For quick stir-fries, go for shorter variety because they cook considerably fast.
- Spot-free: Choose okras without blemishes or damaged spots as these may harbor black insects inside them.
Okra Buyers in Kenya
There are people who are reading this post to get an idea of where they can sell their Okras. If you fall in this group, you should know that Okra is a pretty handy vegetable. As a result, it has lots of buyers.
Here are some places where you can sell your Okra:
- Universities
- Supermarkets
- Local markets
- Local consumers online and Offline
- Exporters
- Hotels and restaurants
