The Ministry of Agriculture has announced new miraa prices, effectively doubling the cost of Grade 1, Grade 2, and Alele varieties.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said in a statement to the media that the new prices would take effect immediately.
“The government will continue to address the market access challenges to expand on export opportunities in our current and new markets,” he said.
A kilogramme of Grade 1 miraa now costs Sh1,300, up from Sh700, while the same quantity of Grade 2 miraa costs Sh700, up from Sh350. The price of one kilogramme of Alale has risen from Sh500 to Sh1,000.
Kagwe stated that the Miraa Pricing Formula Committee was established under the provisions of Regulation 29 of the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023, with the goal of advising the industry on the pricing of Kenyan miraa.
“In executing its duties, the committee reviews production data, cost, supply and demand among other parameters to advise the sub-sector,” he stated.
He stated that the committee met on February 13, 2025, and after reviewing the farmers’ and traders’ submissions, advised the ministry on new prices.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, through the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), is responsible for regulating, developing, and promoting Scheduled Crops.
Miraa, botanically known as Catha edulis, includes the local variety known as Muguka, and is a flowering evergreen tree commonly known as khat.
Miraa grows naturally in Meru along the Nyambene Hills, Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties.
Marsabit, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Machakos, Makueni, Laikipia, and West Pokot are among the counties where the crop has spread to increase income diversification.
The majority of households in miraa-growing regions rely directly on it for their livelihood.
It is estimated that more than four million people rely on the sub-sector indirectly, and approximately ten million people use Miraa on a daily basis.
Miraa was declared as a scheduled crop in November 2016 through an amendment to the Crops Act (2013).
