Kenyan consumers are facing a new challenge as maize flour prices soar, driven by a shrinking supply of maize and rising costs at the farm level. The price of a 2kg packet of maize flour has jumped by nearly Sh40, with some supermarkets now selling it for as much as Sh169. This increase marks a sharp rise from December 2024 and early January 2025, when the price ranged from Sh100 to Sh120.
The surge in maize flour prices has sparked concerns over food security, especially as the country grapples with an escalating cost of living. The price of a 90kg bag of maize has also surged from Sh3,800 to Sh4,700 in just two weeks, with millers predicting it could rise to Sh5,000 in the coming months due to ongoing shortages.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveals that a 2kg packet of fortified maize flour averaged Sh165.05 in March 2025, marking a 14.1% increase from October 2024. While millers attribute the rise to a maize supply shortfall, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned farmers against hoarding maize, suggesting that the price hikes will not continue indefinitely.
In a bid to stabilize prices, Kagwe announced that the government would release maize from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) strategic reserves. Additionally, Kenya is working with Tanzania to facilitate maize imports under the East African Community framework, which should help alleviate the shortage.
Kagwe also unveiled plans to import 5.5 million bags of duty-free yellow maize, aimed at easing the pressure on white maize used for human consumption. This yellow maize will be directed to feed manufacturers, alleviating the strain on animal feed costs.
However, concerns over the reliance on imports persist. Antony Kioko, CEO of the Cereal Growers Association, emphasized the need for long-term strategies to boost local production, pointing out that while subsidies like those for fertilizers are helpful, they don’t address the broader challenges facing farmers. With the NCPB holding 709,000 bags in stock at Sh3,500 per 90kg bag, the government’s actions will be crucial in managing both the supply and cost of maize in the coming months.
