5m bags of maize imported to rein in flour prices

Imported maize at the Port of Mombasa. PHOTO | FILE 

By GERALD ANDAE

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Summary

• Increased supply of the staple has now stabilised flour supply in the market, according to the government.
• Farmers are holding 2,950,000 million bags, traders and millers 1.4 million bags and Cereals Board  1.2 million bags. 
• Harvesting of the 2017 long rains crops is currently ongoing in central, eastern and coastal regions.

Kenya has imported five million bags of maize in the last three months with the government saying increased supply of the staple has now stabilised flour supply in the market.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the food situation is now normalising in most parts of the country.

“Maize imported from various countries to date stand at 5,084,283 bags. Flour supplies to most parts of the country including Nairobi CBD is adequate and has stabilised,” said director of crops in the Ministry of Agriculture Johnson Irungu.

Dr Irungu said with additional import of 2.7 million bags of maize this month, the estimated maize stocks as at Monday was 5.6 million bags, out of which farmers are holding 2,950,000 million bags, traders and millers 1.4 million bags and Cereals Board  1.2 million bags. 

READ: Maize price rises to record Sh5,849 a bag despite State subsidy

He said the national food security has improved as flow of imports increased from mid-June. Harvesting of the 2017 long rains crops is currently ongoing in central, eastern and coastal regions.

“Though production is below expectation, food supplies have improved at household level and at the market outlets. Prices of major staples such as maize, beans, Irish potatoes and fresh vegetable though relatively high are on a downward trend,” he said.

Inflation last month dropped to 7.47 per cent on the back of easing food prices. The rate had only fallen below the double-digit rate the previous month.