90-Kg Bag Of Maize Now Retailing Between 2,700 And 2,800 Shillings

By Getrude Matayo

A 90-kilogram bag of dry maize is retailing at an average of 2,700 and 2,800 shillings in most parts of the country including Nairobi down from 3,600 shillings last month. The dropping of the prices has been attributed to more maize on the market.

In Kakamega and Bungoma, a 90-kilogram bag of maize is going at an average of 2,800 shillings the same to Kitale. In Bungoma, some farmers have started harvesting green maize, leading to a reduction on dependence on dry maize. This is the largest drop from 4,000 shillings just a month ago.

In Nairobi, the price of a 90-kilogram bag of dry maize is lower. It is retailing between 2,700 and 2800 shillings. Retailers say the low prices are a result of more maize coming into the country from Uganda.

A 2-kilogram tin of dry maize in most parts of the country is retailing between 70 and 80 shillings down from 100 last month. In Eldoret, the price is ranging between 2,700 and 3,000 shillings.

Yellow maize importation has pushed down the price of raw material for animal feed manufactures by 15 percent. This offers a reprieve to a dairy farmer who has been paying high prices for the products.

Millers are paying 2,900 shillings for a 90-kilogram bag of yellow maize when it lands in Nairobi which is slightly higher than the 2,700 shillings that they are paying for the white produce.

Animal feed manufacture Association Chairperson Joseph Karauri said some traders who have been hoarding maize are now releasing it to the market at a lower cost as they rush to clear their stocks before more imports arrive.