Torrential rains in Kenya have given green bean importers a headache, with fine beans, sugar snaps and mange tout all suffering a decline in number and quality.
March floods in the east-African region have wreaked havoc in the country, with Nairobi submerged in water, and 15 reported deaths due to drowning.
The country has become one of the leading exporters of green beans to the UK in the past decade, as well as supplying avocados.
Jason Tanner, chairman of Premier Fruits said: “Kenya’s had big problems with heavy rains and floods which has meant shortages in sugar snaps, fine beans, and mange touts.
“It’s such a delicate product. The price on mange touts and sugar snaps have gone up around 30 per cent.”
Damien Fowler, of Gilgrove wholesalers, said quality had dropped to such an extent however, he hasn’t experienced price rises.
“They got an enormous amount of rain which makes for poor quality and poor sales. Mange tout is finishing form Kenya soon, and we’re moving to Guatemalan supply.
“Price in theory should go up, but the quality is poor so it’s going down. The rain affects the quality and shelf life, and they are just not as good.”
