More Pain For Kenyans As Maize Flour Prices Set To Increase Soon

The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has announced that it will now buy 90kg maize at 3,000 shillings. This will be a relief to farmers who will now save 300 shillings.

The new price, however, will force millers and traders to increase the cost at which they are buying the produce from farmers to get sufficient stocks from growers.

According to NCPB Managing Director Joseph Kimote, the new price will enable farmers to get value for the maize and also help to minimize competition from traders and private millers.

The price of Sh3,000 we are offering will enable farmers to get value for the maize they deliver to us,” NCPB managing director Joseph Kimote said.

NCPB further added that only those that meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Grade 1 and 2 will be accepted stating that they will be paid within 24 hours of delivery.

“There are no administrative conditions for farmers to deliver maize as long as the produce meets KEBS Grade 1 and 11 standards” Kimote Said.

The increase in the cost of flour will add pressure on the price of flour, which is already trading at a high of over 100 shillings for a two-kilogram packet in most retail shops countrywide.

In a statement issued by the NCPB, the board is purchasing the maize for its commercial function and all farmers within regions that are currently harvesting or have already harvested are encouraged to deliver their grain to the NCPB depot.

This comes amidst complaints by Millers over the high cost of maize in the market caused by a shortage of supply citing that farmers are already hoarding their stocks in anticipation of good prices in the coming months.

The agency will also be providing storage facilities at competitive rates with both a warehouse receipt system and regular warehousing available for farmers.

“In addition, the board will offer storage services and other post-harvest services such as grain drying, cleaning, grain grading, and aflatoxin,” added NCPB.