Ship with 42,000 tonnes of yellow maize expected in Mombasa
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Ship with more than 42,000 tonnes of yellow maize is expected to dock in Mombasa on Sunday, 12, 2023
Ship with more than 42,000 tonnes of yellow maize is expected to dock in Mombasa on Sunday, 12, 2023.
This is in line with the government’s efforts to lower the cost of maize flour.
It is the first consignment of subsidized maize to arrive in Kenya since December last year when the government authorized duty-free imports to address shortages.
MV Stellar Lady, with 42,464 tonnes of yellow maize from the Port of Odesa, Ukraine, is expected in Mombasa according to a docking schedule, with no other ship expected before March 20.
But, millers claim that since yellow maize is mostly used to create animal feed and oil products, the arrival of the cargo would not significantly change the situation.
An acute shortage of white maize has led to processors suspending operations.
According to Millers, the imports will only have a little impact on the price of maize flour.
A 2kg packet of white maize flour retails at more than Sh200.
“Though the imports will ease pressure on the competition for white maize for human consumption and manufacture of animal feeds, it is too early to determine when the next consignment will land in the country,” one of the millers said.
The flour makers have urged the government to put in place measures that will cushion consumers from the high cost of flour.
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Among the recommendations is allowing yellow maize to be used as human food.
At the same time, millers have complained of not being paid for past imports and called for the intervention of President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Cereal Millers Association (CMA) chairman, Kamaldeep Sigh Phull said through an Executive Order in 2022, the rise in the cost of living was declared a threat to livelihoods in Kenya.
CMA and other milling associations were encouraged to participate in the government-sifted maize flour subsidy plan but they have not been paid.
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