90 Kilogram Bag Of Maize Hits Ksh 6,000

The price of a 90-kilogram bag of dry maize has hit 6,000 shillings in most parts of the country, making it the highest rise in the price for years. The rise is set to increase the cost of living which is already unbearable to millions of Kenyans.

In Bungoma County, a 2-kilogram tin of dry maize is going for 150 shillings, an increase from 100 shillings last month. Even with the rise, locals are finding it hard to find the commodity as the supply has been dwindling as people scramble for the little available.

In Kakamega, the price is higher than in Bungoma with a 90-kilogram back of maize going for 7,200 shillings. A 2-kilogram tin in most towns such as Mumias is going as high as 180 shillings. Kisumu has its price at 7,000 shillings with some places at 7,500 shillings.

In Kitale and Eldoret, the two regions said to be the food basket of the country, the price of a 90-kilogram bag is retailing between 5,800 and 6,000 shillings. Most farmers in the region shunned maize farming citing frustrations from the government.

The price of maize had dropped to 5,000 shillings per 90-kilogram bag in early  February after the State announced that imports would start coming in from February 6, forcing farmers to release additional stocks to the market. Now the stock seems to have run out.

At the same time, the price rise is due to a shortage following delayed imports and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) announcement last week that it had increased the buying price of maize from Sh5,100 to Sh5,600. But still, farmers have not been selling.

The price review by NCPB has seen millers also increase the price at which they buy the product to attract farmers. Most farmers prefer selling to the millers directly as opposed to selling to the government which often delays paying them after the delivery is done.

“Even at Sh6,000 a bag, we are struggling to get maize from farmers,” said Aggarwal Atin, chief executive at Trident Millers.

Related Content: Maize Production To Drop 40% By 2050 – World Bank