A person chewing miraa.[photo/Classic]
Miraa farmers exporting their produce to Mogadishu have market on a boycott.
The exportes are citing high farm gate prices.
According to Nyambene Miraa Traders Association (Nyamita) chairman, Kimathi Munjuri, the traders resolved to boycott buying the twigs to force farmers to lower the prices.
The high prices are due to low supply caused by the dry spell that started early December.
Only traders serving other parts of Somalia shipped their commodity on Monday night.
According to Business Daily, traders who export to Mogadishu feel that it is not sustainable to buy 100kgs at Sh160,000 because buyers cannot afford it.
“This means about 30 tonnes of miraa has not been delivered to Mogadishu,” Mr Munjuri said.
Mr Joseph Muturia, a member of the Miraa report implementation committee, said the premium quality miraa known as ‘Mbaine’ is selling at Sh6,000 a kilo while ‘kisa’ is retailing at Sh4,000.