Cost of Living Continues To Bite As Fresh Milk Hits Ksh 65

By Amina Faki

Milk prices skyrocketed in the beginning of the month with a 500ml packet of fresh milk crossing the 60-shilling mark in all the major Supermarkets.

The rise in the milk prices and that of the general commodity in the market due to high inflation rate adds to the pressure that most household already feels especially the low-income households.

This is the worst price increase that there has ever been. Milk Prices increased from 45 shillings in January to what is currently the new market price has crossed the 60 shillings line.

Milk falls under the national food basket and is key in driving the rate of inflation even higher. Looking at different milk brands selling at major outlets, half-litre of fresh Ilara sells at 65 shillings, Tuzo sells at 62 shillings, Molo sells at 60 shillings and KCC sells at 55 shillings.

There has been a rise in food prices over the years, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) the rising cost of food items including maize flour in April pushed the cost of living to 57 months high with the inflation rate hitting a new high of 11.48 percent from 10.28 percent making it the highest since 2012.

The inflation rate has been on the rise since last year beating the government projection of 7.5 percent with food taking up the largest share of 36 percent of the basket of goods that drive inflation.

Currently, processors are using powdered milk to process fresh milk in order to maintain supply and meet the demand of fresh milk in the market.