90KG Bag of Maize Retails Highest in Kakamega at Ksh.4,400

By Lynnet Okumu / Published March 10, 2022 | 4:35 pm

KEY POINTS

Maize is retailing at different prices across the major towns, with larger parts of Rift Valley such as Uasin Gishu county having the least amount of between 70 to 75 shillings per 2 kilograms.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Analysts say that prices may not stabilize soon even as we head into a heavy political atmosphere citing that the increase in the price of the commodity was as a result of the imports from Tanzania and Uganda being inadequate as well as drought in parts of the country.

Maize prices have continued to rise across the country even as several Kenyans struggle to keep up with the hiked prices of essential commodities.

Maize is retailing at different prices across the major towns, with larger parts of Rift Valley such as Uasin Gishu county having the least amount of between 70 to 75 shillings per 2 kilograms.

In Bomet county, the price of a kilogram of maize is averagely 100 shillings with the 90Kg pack selling an averagely of 3,000 shillings. The product averages 2,700 to 2,800 shillings in Eldoret for a 90-kilogram bag.

The same commodity is trading highest in Kakamega at 110 shillings per 2 kilograms and an average of 4,400 shillings for the 90kg bag.

A kilogram of maize is trading at an average price of 95 shillings per 2 kilograms in Bungoma. In Nairobi and Mombasa, the price of maize is between 80 to 85 shillings for 2 kilos and an average of 3,000 to 3,300 shillings for the 90-kilogram bag.

Analysts say that prices may not stabilize soon even as we head into a heavy political atmosphere citing that the increase in the price of the commodity was as a result of the imports from Tanzania and Uganda being inadequate as well as drought in parts of the country.

Another reason is the high cost of food globally due to the Covid-19 pandemic which led to low production while some manufacturers cut down on the production of some inputs hence the high prices being experienced on inputs such as fertilizer. The ongoing war in the European countries may also continue hiking the prices.

ALSO READ: Wheat Prices Jump by 7.62% to Trade at Ksh. 1,924 Per Bushel

The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) offered to buy produce from maize farmers at 3000 per 50kg bag in December 2021, a step that was well received by most farmers across the country.

NCPB increased maize prices in a bid to attract farmers to deliver their products after they had rejected the prices offered by the board, arguing that it was too low for them to make any profits.

There have been complaints from counties that maize production was reducing every year because of challenges experienced by farmers, especially poor prices and lack of markets.

The heavy burden is always passed on to the consumer who now has to deal with not only the rising prices of maize but also all the essential products.

In Northern Kenya, the hunger crisis continues to grow due to the lack of adequate rains for three years now.

An estimated 2.8 million people are surviving largely on donated food, according to an assessment carried out by the government and humanitarian partners.

Weather experts have, however, stated that there will be long rains in late March this year in different parts of the country.