2kg Packet Of Maize Flour Hits 150 Shillings Across Supermarkets

Kenyans will have to pay 154 shillings for a 2-kilogram packet of Soko Maize Flour, up from an average of 148 shillings about two weeks ago.

A 2Kg packet of Jogoo, Pembe, and Ahab Maize flour is retailing at 150, 151, and 150 shillings, respectively, at Naivas supermarket.

The price increase generally attributed to the rising cost and scarcity of corn in the market is the highest ever recorded in the country for years.

Maize prices have also reached a record high of between 4200 and 4500 shillings per 90Kg bags across the country, signalling a looming crisis in the coming months due to shortage.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya revealed the government’s plan to allow maize imports from outside the East African Community, a move that will cushion Kenyans from the continuous spike in Flour prices.

Details on when the imports would start and volumes to be shipped in are yet to be announced, with the consignment expected to arrive in 45 days from the date that the orders would be made.

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Meanwhile, other commodities prices are also on a rising spree on the shelves. A two-kilogram packet of wheat flour brands such as Pembe and Ajab now retails at 205 shillings and 212 shillings, respectively.

The same quantity of Ndovu brands is retailing at an average of 204 shillings; the highest price recorded in the last year.

On the other hand, cooking oil is now one of Kenya’s most expensive essential commodities as its prices continue rising. One litre can of Rina, for instance, now costs 435 shillings, while 3 litres and 5 litres of the same commodity costs 1,280 and 1,930 shillings at Naivas Supermarket.

A litre of Fresh Fri Cooking oil costs 436 shillings, while 3 litres is 1268. Five litres of the same commodity is going for 2,014 shillings, the highest in years.

A 500g packet of milk now costs 60 shillings while a 400g of bread costs the same at Naivas supermarket. A 2Kg of Kabras Sugar is 245 shillings.

The cost of bar soap has also continued rising on the shelves. An 800g of Jamaa Soap, for instance, costs 230 shillings, 1kg of whitewash is 235 shillings, 1kg Ushindi at 210 shillings, while 1kg of Zenka is 197 shillings at Naivas Supermarket.

With the ongoing global market disruptions caused by various factors such as the Ukraine war, drought caused by the absence of rain, and other domestic factors such as an election year,  food prices in Kenya are projected to continue increasing further.