Maize price rises as shortfall looms

Maize prices are on steady rise following revelations that production of the staple in Kenya has dropped.

The cost of the commodity has increased in the last two weeks by at least Sh120 ($1.5) across Kenya, with Nairobi leading among regions with steep rises. A 90kg bag of maize in the capital is going for Sh3,268 ($38) in wholesale markets, up from an average of Sh3,096 ($36) a fortnight ago. Price of the commodity is highest in Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city. A 90kg bag of the staple is being sold at Sh3,612 ($42), up from about Sh3,440 ($40) the previous weeks. In Mombasa, the cereal is going for Sh3010 ($35) per 90kg bag. There have been little price changes in the coastal town in the past weeks, with the cost of the commodity stabilising at Sh3010.