What to Farm in Nyeri County: Crops, Livestock and Profit
Nyeri ranks 3rd for coffee and 6th for macadamia among Kenya's counties. Below is everything the latest national figures record there.
Where Nyeri Leads Kenya
Rank 1 means the biggest producer or herd among counties that report the product.
Macadamia
2,615 tonnes of nuts
6th of 12 counties
487 ha · 5.4 t per ha · 6.4% of Kenya
Irish potatoes
97,975 tonnes
7th of 28 counties
16,447 ha · 6.0 t per ha · 4.2% of Kenya
Tea
21,670 tonnes of made tea
8th of 15 counties
7,843 ha · 2.8 t per ha · 3.8% of Kenya
Dairy cattle
188,500 animals
12th of 47 counties
3.4% of Kenya
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Shares compare Nyeri with all of Kenya. Counties report figures to the national team and some years swing sharply.
Crops Grown in Nyeri: 2023 Figures
Area, output and yield for every crop the national report records in Nyeri.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Output | Yield (t per ha) | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Not given | 6,316 t clean coffee | Not given | 3rd of 32 | 13.0% |
| Macadamia | 487 | 2,615 t nuts | 5.4 | 6th of 12 | 6.4% |
| Tea | 7,843 | 21,670 t made tea | 2.8 | 8th of 15 | 3.8% |
| Irish potatoes | 16,447 | 97,975 t | 6.0 | 7th of 28 | 4.2% |
| Sweet potatoes | 232 | 4,286 t | 18.5 | 20th of 42 | 0.6% |
| Dry beans | 18,340 | 6,464 t | 0.4 | 28th of 39 | 0.8% |
| Maize | 26,984 | 14,346 t | 0.5 | 36th of 47 | 0.4% |
Yield is output divided by area. Coffee is the 2022 to 2023 crop year. Sugar, tea and cotton show processed output.
Livestock and Poultry Kept in Nyeri
Numbers kept in Nyeri in 2023, ranked against other counties.
| Animal or bird | Number kept | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy goats | 53,195 | 3rd of 47 | 8.8% |
| Dairy cattle | 188,500 | 12th of 47 | 3.4% |
| Wool sheep | 5,290 | 14th of 20 | 0.4% |
| Hair sheep | 156,560 | 24th of 47 | 0.7% |
| Meat goats | 73,990 | 37th of 47 | 0.2% |
| Beef cattle | 2,200 | 47th of 47 | <0.1% |
| Rabbits | 28,680 | 8th of 46 | 3.7% |
| Pigs | 13,115 | 17th of 43 | 1.6% |
| Beehives | 14,790 | 33rd of 47 | 0.9% |
| Donkeys | 739 | 41st of 46 | <0.1% |
| Broilers | 186,800 | 10th of 47 | 3.4% |
| Layers | 117,490 | 14th of 47 | 1.8% |
| Quails | 65 | 18th of 19 | 0.2% |
| Pigeons | 255 | 19th of 28 | 0.1% |
| Turkeys | 2,020 | 20th of 44 | 0.9% |
| Indigenous chicken | 781,940 | 24th of 47 | 1.4% |
| Geese | 1,930 | 26th of 43 | 1.0% |
| Guinea fowl | 355 | 30th of 38 | 0.4% |
| Ducks | 1,795 | 35th of 45 | 0.3% |
When to Plant in Nyeri
Nyeri is in a one-season area. One main season. Plant in March to April and harvest in November to December.
Blocks show the usual months.
Source: FEWS NET Kenya country book, citing a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Rain onset is erratic, so planting can stretch from March to May. Windows suit crops of 4 to 7 months. Tea, coffee, macadamia and sugarcane go in at the start of the rains. Altitude changes the pattern inside a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Five-Year Trends in Nyeri
Output of the leading products since 2019. Bars compare years, and the dark bar is the latest.
Coffee
Up 19% since 18/19
tonnes of clean coffee
Irish potatoes
Down 21% since 2019
tonnes
Tea
Up 13% since 2019
tonnes of made tea
Dry beans
Down 28% since 2019
tonnes
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Counties report these figures and they can swing from year to year. Read the direction, not one year.
The Main Products in Nyeri
A short read on each of the five strongest products, with the numbers behind it.
Coffee
In 2023 Nyeri produced 6,316 tonnes of clean coffee. That ranks 3rd of 32 counties and gives 13.0% of Kenya's output. Output rose 19% between 2018/19 and 2022/23. Plant seedlings at the start of the rains. The Coffee Directorate lists 25 cooperative societies and 107 factories here. Deliver cherry through your society.
Macadamia
In 2023 Nyeri produced 2,615 tonnes of macadamia nuts. That ranks 6th of 12 counties and gives 6.4% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 487 ha, a yield of 5.4 t per ha. That is about 6% above the national average of 5.1. Plant seedlings at the start of the rains. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Irish potatoes
In 2023 Nyeri produced 97,975 tonnes of Irish potatoes. That ranks 7th of 28 counties and gives 4.2% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 16,447 ha, a yield of 6.0 t per ha. That is about 38% below the national average of 9.7. Output fell 21% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Other leading counties: Nakuru, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet.
Tea
In 2023 Nyeri produced 21,670 tonnes of made tea. That ranks 8th of 15 counties and gives 3.8% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 7,843 ha, a yield of 2.8 t per ha. That is about 10% above the national average of 2.5. Output rose 13% between 2019 and 2023. Plant seedlings at the start of the rains. Green leaf goes to KTDA factories such as Chinga, Ragati, Ndima. Join through your factory company.
Broilers
Nyeri recorded about 186,800 broilers in 2023. That ranks 10th of 47 counties and gives 3.4% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Dairy cattle
Nyeri recorded about 188,500 dairy cattle in 2023. That ranks 12th of 47 counties and gives 3.4% of Kenya's total. Milk outlets include Wakulima Dairies, Mukurwe-ini Wakulima Dairy, New KCC (Kiganjo). Most accept milk only from registered members or suppliers.
Where to Sell in Nyeri
Buyers, factories and markets to check first. Each one is a lead, not a promise.
Confirm before delivering. Every name here is a lead from a research directory compiled on 8 November 2026. Operators, catchments and rules change. We have not checked each one.
How to find a buyer in Nyeri
- Check farm gate and wholesale prices on KAMIS. It covers five markets in every county.
- Ask the county cooperative officer which registered societies buy your product.
- Visit the buyer first. Ask for the grade, price, payment date and who pays transport.
- Start with one small delivery before you commit your harvest.
Tea
KTDA factories listed for Nyeri:
- Chinga
- Ragati
- Ndima
- Kangaita
Access: factories take leaf from registered growers in their catchment. Confirm the catchment, registration steps and collection point first.
Coffee
The Coffee Directorate Year Book 2022/23 records 25 cooperative societies running 107 factories in Nyeri.
Millers named for the area:
- Central Kenya Coffee Mills (Karatina)
- Othaya FCS Coffee Mill
Access: most cherry moves through a cooperative society. Millers provide milling and are not automatic cherry buyers.
Dairy
Dairy outlets listed for Nyeri:
- Wakulima Dairies
- Mukurwe-ini Wakulima Dairy
- New KCC (Kiganjo)
- Brookside (Kiganjo)
- Kieni Dairy Products
- Othaya DFCS
- Tetu DFCS
Brookside publishes these supplier rules:
- Fresh cow milk.
- Butterfat of at least 3.7%.
- No antibiotics or preservatives.
- Milk chilled to 3 to 6 degrees Celsius.
Its supplier registration line is 0702 967 911 (SMS 22323).
Access: many outlets take milk only from registered members or suppliers. Ask about membership and price before you deliver.
Know a buyer or a market in Nyeri that should be listed? Tell us on WhatsApp. Please send the business name, product, location and how farmers can sell to it.
Priority Value Chains in Nyeri
The national strategy backs these products in Nyeri. Open a guide to see how each one is farmed.
Rain and Soil in Nyeri County
Nyeri is in the Central Highlands zone of the national strategy. These notes describe the whole zone, not one farm. Parts of Nyeri are in AEZ Zone II: high potential land with at least 1,000 mm of rain.
- Crops the zone favours
- Coffee, tea, Irish potatoes, French beans, bananas and tomatoes.
- Livestock and fish
- Dairy cattle and poultry.
- Rain and soil
- Two seasons of high rain. Deep, very fertile red soils.
- Farming households
- About 1 million farming households
- Typical rainfall
- 1,600 to over 2,000 mm
- Typical farm size
- 2 to 5 acres
- Typical household income
- about KES 30,000 a month
Income, farm size and rainfall are 2019 strategy estimates. Read the AEZ guide to see how zones are set.
Test the Profit of Nyeri’s Top Products
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What These Figures Do Not Show
Fruit and vegetables
The report has no county figures for tomatoes, avocados or onions. Check local buyers first.
Fish
Fish output is reported by lake and sea, not by county. See the fish guide.
Your ward
Soil and rain change inside a county. Ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Your profit
Output is not profit. Run your own costs in the profit calculator.
Questions About Farming in Nyeri
What crops grow best in Nyeri County?
Nyeri ranks 3rd for coffee and 6th for macadamia. The biggest crop areas are maize (26,984 ha), dry beans (18,340 ha), Irish potatoes (16,447 ha).
Which livestock is common in Nyeri County?
Nyeri ranks 3rd for dairy goats, 8th for rabbits, 10th for broilers. The table above lists every animal and bird recorded.
Which fruits, vegetables and fish suit Nyeri County?
The national report has no county figures for these. See the strategy list for Nyeri above, then check local buyers and water.
What agro-ecological zone is Nyeri County in?
The national strategy places Nyeri in the Central Highlands zone. Our AEZ guide explains how zones, rain and soil shape what you can grow.
How do I work out profit in Nyeri County?
Open the farm profit calculator, choose your product, then enter your acres, yield and local price.
Does this cover my sub-county or ward?
No. The national figures stop at county level. Soil and rain change across a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Where do the figures come from?
The KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024 is the source. Figures are for 2023, and coffee uses crop year 2022 to 2023.
Ask About Farming in Nyeri
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Plan, Fund and Scale Your Farm in Nyeri
Farm business plan
A costed plan for your acreage, market and cash flow. Banks and Saccos ask for one. Ask for a quote.
Finance for your farm
Learn what lenders ask for, which securities they accept and how to apply. We can help you prepare.
County agribusiness brief
For banks, programmes, investors and county teams. A short paid brief on Nyeri: products, buyers, risks and gaps.
About This Page
Updated 8 November 2026. Production figures are 2023 data from the national report. Buyer and season notes were compiled on the same date.
How we made this page
County output, area and rank come from the KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Rank compares Nyeri with the counties that report the product. Yield is output divided by area. Trend charts use the same report’s five-year tables.
Planting seasons follow the FEWS NET Kenya country book, which cites a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Zone details come from the 2019 national strategy (ASTGS), explained in our AEZ guide.
Buyer names come from four sources. One is third-party research for Agcenture. The others are the Coffee Directorate Year Book, Brookside’s supplier page and the Kenya Dairy Board register. Prices come from KAMIS. We have not verified each buyer. Tell us if something is wrong.
Written and maintained by the Agcenture editorial team. Report a correction on WhatsApp.
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