A farmer inspecting her maize crop. The government is presently banking on maize imports from Mexico to spring up maize flour supplies. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The harvesting of maize planted during short rains is expected to ease the crop’s domestic shortage starting July- bringing relief to Kenyans currently grappling with high maize flour prices.The high prices came following a poor harvest in 2016 resulting from the effects of erratic rains that affected the maize crop.The Cereal Growers Association (CGA) of Kenya says short rains maize is South Rift had done well and expects to inject about two million bags of the cereal into the market by the end of July.“We are expecting a good crop unlike last year. This harvest is going to create a huge impact on the market as we expect the prices to come down from the current highs,” CGA chief executive officer Anthony Kioko said as quoted by Business Daily.Short rains harvest plays an important role in stabilizing the market as it supplements stocks from the main October harvest.Kioko said maize from Western Kenya is also expected to be harvested at the same time. However, the crop is mainly for home consumption and not much of it finds its way to the market.The government is presently banking on maize imports from Mexico to spring up maize flour supplies and consequently cut prices for the staple presently standing at over Sh150 per two-kilogram packet.Kenyans on average consume three million bags of maize per month and the Mexican consignment can’t last even for a week.The imported maize is selling at between Sh3,500 Sh4,400 for a 90-kilogram bag while locally produced maize retails at Sh4,750.The Kenya Revenue Authority two weeks ago opened a maize importation window to allow Kenyans import duty free maize to cushion an acute domestic shortage.