Maize flour prices surge as supply struggles and demand clashes

Households across the country are facing higher food costs after millers raised the price of maize flour for the second month in a row, citing limited grain supply and increased competition with animal feed producers.

The rise has put more pressure on consumers already grappling with the rising cost of living.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that a two-kilogramme packet of fortified maize flour was retailing at Sh169.41 in April, up from Sh165.05 in March.

This 2.64% increase marks the steepest climb since February 2024, when the same packet sold at Sh172.75.

Since October last year, the price has gone up by Sh24.77%, a 17.13% rise.

"The higher maize prices have strained cash flows, requiring more funds to maintain production capacity. Due to limited grain availability, many millers are operating on reduced schedules," said Cereal Millers Association Chief Executive Paloma Fernandes in an interview with Business Daily.

"With maize prices continuing to rise, the cost of flour is expected to increase proportionally."

To ease the growing pressure on white maize supplies, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that the government will allow the duty-free importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize to be used in animal feed production.

"The Ministry of Agriculture notes the growing competition between animal feed millers and maize millers for human consumption over limited maize grain stocks. As a result, the price of a 90-kilogramme bag of maize has risen by approximately 26 per cent compared to three months ago," Kagwe said in a statement on April 4.

Beyond the tight market, Kenya’s struggle with low maize yields is worsening the situation.

The country produces just two metric tonnes of maize per acre, falling behind Tanzania’s three and Zambia’s 3.5 metric tonnes.

The low output has made Kenya more dependent on maize imports to meet demand.

Experts have linked the low productivity to pest infestations, poor fertiliser use, and a lack of innovation in farming. Farmers are now being encouraged to embrace approved and eco-friendly agrochemicals to improve yields.

"Poor chemical usage remains a major contributor to low farm output. Our products are set to increase productivity by 10 per cent while reducing costs by seven per cent," said Rainbow Company East Africa Managing Director Murari Sharma during a field visit in Naivasha attended by over 5,000 farmers.

He said the company had introduced a range of affordable products to help farmers tackle destructive pests like the fall armyworm, which has devastated maize fields across the country.

Wicky Wang, the company’s CEO, added that all their products comply with both local and international safety guidelines.