Maize millers warn Kenyans over the high cost of Unga
3 min read
Maize millers warn Kenyans to brace for the high cost of Unga amid severe drought being witnessed in the country
Maize millers warn Kenyans to brace for the high cost of Unga amid severe drought being witnessed in the country.
Millers and agriculture experts have warned of a crisis that might make the government review the planned importation of 10 million bags of duty-free maize in a bid to lower flour prices.
Experts have decried further increases in maize prices as it emerges that processors are reluctant to import the grain due to rising costs worldwide.
“We are staring at a disaster as maize supply deteriorates. Many farmers sold almost all their grains after harvest, fearing a drop in prices due to the impending imports,” said Mr. Ezekiel Kosgei, an Eldoret-based agronomist.
“Large-scale farmers are hoarding maize, pushing prices beyond Sh5,000 per 90kg bag.”
An estimated 4.2 million families, especially in northern Kenya, face starvation.
The Ministry of Agriculture says the country has maize stocks to last less than two months.
Millers and consumers yesterday said the imported maize would do little to reduce the cost of the staple due to challenges in sourcing and crushing.
“As much as we appreciate plans by the government to import maize and cushion consumers against the rising cost, it is too early to determine when the grains arrive in Kenya, considering the shortage in the local and regional markets,” Mr. David Maina, a processor in Eldoret, said on Saturday.
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The millers have urged the government to put in place measures that will cushion consumers from the high cost of flour.
Among their recommendations is allowing yellow maize to be used as human food.
The Ministry of Agriculture says the country has a stock of six million bags, which can only last up to the end of March.
A 90kg bag of imported maize is expected to go for Sh6, 000, more pain to the consumer.
“There is need to manage flour prices as there are indications that we might not have enough grain,” said a report following a meeting between President William Ruto and millers two weeks ago.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has admitted that it has no emergency maize stocks after it failed to purchase the grain this season due to stiff competition from traders and millers.
“We have zero emergency stocks after selling more than 300,000 bags we purchased the previous season on a commercial basis. We did not buy the produce last season,” said an NCPB source who did not want to be named.
The board sought Sh10.3 billion in the last financial year for emergency food stocks but millers and traders offered better prices and prompt payment to farmers.
Maize prices have skyrocketed in many parts of the North Rift, with a 90kg bag going for Sh4,800, up from Sh4,200 two weeks ago.
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