Maize prices in Kenya fell 12.7 percent on better local harvests

Maize prices dropped by 12.7 per cent last year, driven by improved local harvests courtesy of good weather, and the fertiliser subsidy programme. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that prices of the staple food eased to an average of Sh70.2 per kilogramme in December 2023, compared to Sh80.5 in the previous year. The fall has been a major relief for consumers as it has lowered the cost of unga consumed in many households. Read: Prices of maize jump on high demand, importation delays KNBS data shows that the price of a two-kilogram packet of sifted maize flour declined by 14.9 per cent between December 2022 and December 2023 from Sh182.14 to Sh155.07. However, the price rose marginally in the month to December. “The average monthly retail market price for one kilogramme of maize rose from Sh69.2 in November 2023 to Sh70.2 in December 2023,” said KNBS. The latest figures for maize production for 2023 have yet to be published, but the government earlier ...