Maize flour price escalates as shortages bite in Kenya

Published 2022년 6월 22일

Tridge summary

Retail prices of maize flour in Kenya have surged to a record high of Sh6,500 for a 90-kilogramme bag, with brand prices also increasing significantly. This price hike is attributed to decreasing supplies and limited regional imports, leading to concerns about further price increases. The situation comes at a time when Kenya's inflation, driven by essential items, reached a 27-month high of 7.1 percent in May, exacerbating the financial strain on households. Half of the United Grain Millers Association's members have had to close their businesses due to a lack of maize for milling.

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Original content

The increase in retail prices of the staple comes as a 90-kilogramme bag of the commodity hits Sh6,500, reflecting the impact of dwindling supplies. A two-kilo packet of Jogoo brand is selling at Sh204, Pembe at Sh208 and Ajab is going for Sh206 from Sh150 last week while premium brands like Amaize and Hostess are now retailing at Sh204 and Sh220 respectively from Sh167 a week earlier. Maize accounts for 80 percent of the total cost in the production of flour and the current jump to Sh6,500 per bag from Sh5,200 last week spells more pain for consumers. Millers have warned the prices will continue rising in the coming days for a lack of local stocks and tightening supply from regional imports. “Processors have run out of maize for milling and we are not getting stocks from Tanzania and Uganda, it is going to get tough for consumers with prices expected to increase further by the end of this week,” said Ken Nyaga, chairman of the United Grain Millers Association (UGMA). It is now ...

Source: IPPMedia