The government has released 750000 bags of maize from the strategic reserves to help bring down the skyrocketing price of unga.
At least 450,000 of the 90kg bags were released to big millers in February and the remaining 300,000 bags last week, most of it sold to small millers.
A bag is being sold at Sh3,000 to millers to address the shortage of maize and reduce the rising cost of essential commodities. A 2kg packet of maize flour now retails at Sh150, up from Sh100 in January.
Government spokesman Eric Kiraithe said by his own estimation, the price of 2kg packet of maize flour should come down to Sh110 in a month’s time.
“The maize imports are intended to increase the maize stocks in the country and subsequently lower the price of Unga,” Kiraithe said.
Source link-the-star.co.ke
Maize prices drop by Sh200 in June due to higher production
Maize farmers experienced a significant shift in the market as the national average wholesale price for a 90kg bag of maize dropped from Sh3,450 in May to Sh3,250 in June.
Maize prices drop by Sh200 in June due to higher production
The Food and Nutrition Security Report attributed the drop to favourable weather conditions, increased supply and market dynamics. The report was released by the State Department of Agriculture.
The highest wholesale price was reported in Bomet, Busia and Kwale at Sh4,500 per 90kg bag.
The lowest wholesale price was reported in Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties at Sh2,500 for a 90kg bag.
“The decline in prices is attributed to good maize production in 2023. By the end of the month of June, the average retail price of a two kilo packet of unga was Sh129 in supermarkets in Nairobi,” the report said.
The maize balance sheet projected to end of September 2024 shows a surplus of about 28.3 million 50kg bags.
This is based on carryover stocks of 35.2 million bags in June and estimated 1.35 million bags as forecast imports over the next three months.
The food report indicates that about 20.5 million bags planted early in January will be harvested from the low altitude counties including Bomet, parts of Narok, Nyamira and parts of Migori.
“The improved crops production in 2023 and improved local supplies of most food staples continue to impact on the importation of most basic staples with a general declining trend since January 2024,” the report says.
It further showed that the total imports of maize have been on a decreasing trend since March 2024.
Source-https://www.the-star.co.ke/
