Kenya: Animal Feed Prices to Rise for Second Straight Month

Farmers are staring at yet another increase in the cost of animal feeds after the price of key supplements rose for a second time in a span of one month. Cost of items such as soya meal, which is normally imported from countries like Malawi, Zambia and Uganda have gone up from Sh65 for a kilo last month to Sh70, while a kilo of maize germ, which is normally acquired locally from millers has shot up to Sh28 from Sh22 previously. Mr Joseph Karuri, chairman of the Association of Kenya Animal Feeds Manufacturers, said the rising cost of these supplements has pushed up the cost of meals with the situation expected to worsen as the maize supply in the country is projected to tighten in the coming months. "We are heading towards tough times. This is just the beginning of higher prices as the cost of maize in the market is also going up with supplies expected to dwindle in coming months," said Mr Karuri. The cost of a 70 kilogramme bag of chick mash has now gone up from Sh3,500 to ...