Maize Prices In Kenya Drop As Crop From Tanzania Streams In

Maize prices in Kenya have dropped significantly a day after maize from Tanzania started streaming into the country following an order from President Uhuru Kenyatta. Uhuru had ordered all maize held at the border released.

Kenya had banned the importation of maize from Tanzania and Uganda over high levels of aflatoxin. President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania was in Kenya and both leaders agreed to let maize from Tanzania come into the country despite them being toxic.

And now, Kenyan farmers have started feeling the effects although consumers are having a field day. The price of a bag of 90-kilogram bag of maize has averagely dropped by 20 percent across the country with the price expected to fall further.

In Bungoma, the price of a 90-kilogram bag of maize is now retailing between 2,400 and 2,800 shillings from 3,600 shillings two weeks ago. The price of the same amount of maize in Kakamega is at 3000 shillings down from 4000 shillings.

In Kitale, the price of a 90-kilogram maize is now retailing between 2,300 and 2,450 shillings from 3,600 shillings two weeks ago. In Eldoret, the price of a 90-kilogram bag is at 2,400 shillings from 2,800 shillings two weeks ago.

Read More:

• Maize Flour Prices Set To Rise If CMA Won’t Issue Communique
• 90-Kg Bag Of Dry Maize Is Retailing At 2400 Shillings

In Nakuru and Nairobi, the price of a 90-kilogram of maize is now at 2,600 shillings. This is the lowest price in these two towns after a long time. Farmers now say the move is going to hurt the farming of maize this season.

Kenyan large-scale farmers are still holding more than 12 million bags of maize in their stores, which may not be sold until after a decline in imports from the neighboring countries. They have also refused to sell to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

Read More: Middlemen Buying A 90-Kg Bag Of Maize At An Average Of Ksh 1,700