The price of maize in Kenya’s North Rift region has surged in the past two weeks, with middlemen raising prices to as high as KSh3,700 per 90kg bag. This comes as the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) struggles with dwindling supplies, leading to concerns of an impending shortage.
Maize traders and millers predict that the prices could rise further, possibly surpassing Sh4,000 per bag within a month. The shortage has been attributed to farmers’ reluctance to sell their produce to the NCPB due to past delays in payments. The board had set its buying price at Sh3,500 per bag, but farmers have instead opted to sell to private traders who offer slightly higher prices.
Many farmers in the region are choosing to hold onto their maize, hoping for even better prices in the coming weeks. James Kosgey, a leading maize dealer, noted that while some farmers have already sold their maize, others are still waiting for prices to rise further.
“From the market situation, we have low quantities of maize, and some farmers are holding on to their produce. If this trend continues, we might see prices rising even higher,” Kosgey said.
Two weeks ago, maize was being sold at around KSh3,400 per 90kg bag in Eldoret, but in the past few days, the price has surged. Another maize dealer, Samwel Kiprop, confirmed that the expectation of even higher prices is influencing farmers’ decision to delay selling their produce.
Large-scale farmers in the region argue that the current prices do not adequately compensate them for their production costs. Thomas Korgoren, a maize farmer, stated that even with subsidized fertilizer, Sh3,500 per bag is too low to make farming profitable.
“With the high cost of farm inputs, we expect prices to be around KSh5,000 per bag for us to make a reasonable profit and afford to go back to the farms this season,” Korgoren said.
Amid the supply crisis, the NCPB has redirected its efforts to preparing for the upcoming planting season by ensuring efficient distribution of subsidized fertilizer. Acting CEO Samwel Karogoh confirmed that the board’s depots remain open to receive maize but admitted that the response from farmers has been poor.
County officials are now working with NCPB to ensure farmers can easily access subsidized fertilizer before planting begins next month. However, with maize stocks running low and prices steadily rising, consumers could soon feel the impact through increased flour prices.
