Maize farmers in Kenya's North Rift who hoarded their produce expecting higher prices now risk losses as cheaper maize from Tanzania floods the market. Prices have fallen from Sh4,600 to Sh4,000 per 90kg bag, with market conditions remaining unchanged for a month. Alternative foods have also increased supply.
Maize farmers in Kenya's North Rift and other areas who held onto their harvest anticipating price rises now face losses following the arrival of low-priced maize from East African Community partners, particularly Tanzania. Around 100 trucks carrying maize entered via Isebania at Sh3,700 per 90kg bag.
Millers in the North Rift sell bags for Sh4,000 to Sh4,100, while farmgate prices in Moiben and Cherangany in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties stand at Sh3,800. Prices have remained stable for the past month, dashing post-harvest hopes.
"We expected prices to rise after harvest but they haven't changed. Now we are stuck with maize in our stores and have no choice but to sell at current market rates," said James Songok, a large-scale farmer from Kerita in Uasin Gishu County.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya produced 70 million bags of maize in the previous season thanks to government-subsidized fertilizer and favorable weather.
