Maize prices set to drop, says Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Koskei

Maize prices are expected to ease in the next one month, thanks to imports from the neighbouring countries and good harvest registered by farmers in the Rift Valley region.

Market players are now hopeful of stable supply of the key food crop that has a strong bearing on the inflation weight basket. The Government warned recently of a shortage of between seven million and 10 million bags of maize.

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei confirmed yesterday that the country expects huge consignment from Tanzania and Uganda within the month.

"We expect consumers to start enjoying reduced prices of the crop by the end of this month. There is more maize coming from the Tanzania and Uganda and farmers from South Rift region have started harvesting," explained Koskei.

Last month, Kenya and Tanzania signed an agreement on maize importation with the first batch of 50,000 bags expected to arrive in the country soon.

Koskei said new harvest will be used  to replenish the country's reserves managed by the National Cereals and Produce Board.