CMA Projects a Hike in Maize Flour Prices

The Cereal Millers Association (CMA) reveals there will be a possible increase in maize flour prices due to the lack of coordination and communication between relevant government and regulatory agencies.

Kenya consumes 3 million 90kg bags on average per month and some of this maize must be imported due to differences in harvesting periods in various counties. However, due to the recent ban on maize imports from Uganda and Tanzania over high levels of mycotoxins, this quota is not reached.

“The CMA welcomes the ban on maize that contains aflatoxin levels above the 10 parts per billion (ppb) thresholds but is requesting the government to allow maize that does not breach this level be allowed to avoid a grain shortage,” CMA reveals.

CMA revealed that around 1.5 million bags of maize flour are being held at the borders by farmers and traders and it requests the government to allow quality maize to be made available to millers in order to increase the supply of maize flour in the country.

In Nairobi, the price of raw grain has risen to Sh.2800 from Sh.2500 while the price of a maize flour bale has risen to Sh. 1250 and the Association revealed there will be a further increment if the situation is not resolved soon.

By Fatiha Shabir