Zanzibar State Trading Corporation

HAVESTING SEASONS

There are two harvesting season of cloves annually; the Mwaka season (July- November) and Vuli season (December - March). The Mwaka cloves tend to be heavier than the Vuli cloves.

PICKING

The optimum stage for picking clove buds is when the buds are fully developed and the base of the calyx has turned from green to pink colour; not before that or when they are overdue. The clove pickers should not dislodge twigs as dislodging of twigs reduces the bearing ability of cloves trees.

The process of separating cloves from the stems should be undertaken with due care, in a clean environment and on mats. Maximum care is needed to avoid mixing cloves with unwanted bodies and particles.

DRYING PROCESS

The cloves should be dried in clean and tidy places by using mats. They should exposed to enough sunlight in open air for at least three days, and never be dried by keeping them on roads or floor. The farmers who care for their cloves are more likely to be given a good price for his or her cloves. Farmers should always bear in mind the fact that cloves are edible so they must meet the standards required in food hygiene before they are taken to the market.