Okra prices hit K1,200 per 50Kg bag

According to market data obtained by the […]

According to market data obtained by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, okra prices have surged to about K25.77 per kilogram, translating to approximately K1,288.50 per 50-kilogram bag in Lusaka’s Soweto Market as of August 2026.

 A further price checks by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT through some farmers revealed that okra is currently trading at K400 per 25-kilogram bag in Masala Market in Ndola, while a 50-kilogram bag is fetching K800 in Choma, Southern Province.

Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Livingstone Cooperative Union (LCU) Chairperson, Rwinick Mapanza said okra is one of Zambia’s most profitable horticultural crops for farmers who understand its production requirements.

“Okra is a lucrative crop whereby, if you have mastered the art of producing it, have good soils and adequate water, especially around this season, people tend to make a lot of money out of it because it is even more expensive than tomatoes,” said Mapanza.

He noted that the prevailing market prices indicate that farmers stand to earn significant profits, adding that many producers in Livingstone have continued expanding their acreage after witnessing consistent returns over the past three years.

“We have several farmers cultivating okra on large acreage, and they are making good money because I have been monitoring this for the past three years, and the beauty of okra is that it is not as easily perishable as tomatoes while demand continues to rise because of its nutritional value,” said Mapanza.

He told ZBT that consumers are increasingly opting for okra over other vegetables, stating that sellers often clear their produce much faster than traders dealing in tomatoes due to the crop’s growing popularity in households.

 “If somebody decides to venture into okra production, I think they stand a 100% chance of succeeding because you do not need a lot of capital to start, as all you need is animal manure, water and good soils, making it one of the best crops for small-scale farmers,” said Mapanza.

He added that okra provides farmers with regular cash flow, describing it as a “money every day farmer’s crop” because it generates income continuously and can outperform traditional crops such as maize despite requiring a much smaller investment.

 Mapanza has since urged farmers to seek technical guidance from agricultural extension officers before venturing into commercial okra production, stressing that soil testing, choosing the right seed variety and following expert advice remain critical to achieving high yields and maximising profits.

By Philip Sinkala