Unga prices fall after increased supply of maize by farmers to the National Cereals and Produce Board

Unga prices fall after new approach by the gov't

Mark Mwithaga

February 26, 2019 11:34 AM

Welcome relief for citizens

Unga packets on display in a supermarket

United Grain Millers Association on Monday stated that maize flour prices had fallen due an increase supply of maize by farmers.

The association's chairman Peter Kuguru pointed out that farmers who had not taken their produce to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) had now released their maize to the market.

United Grain Millers Association Chairman Peter Kuguru during a past interview Pulse Live Kenya

“Farmers who did not make it to NCPB have rushed to release their stocks hence flooding the market.

"This has resulted to a decline of both the flour and maize prices,” remarked Kuguru.

The move has seen prices of the commodity drop below Sh90 for a 2kg where the range is now between Sh87 to Sh85.

A two-kilo packet for brands such as Jogoo is now being sold at Sh87 while Pembe, Soko and Kifaru are retailing at Sh85 each.

Millers disregard Kiunjuri's order

In October, farmers had declined to supply maize after Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri issued a directive to have the two-kilo packet sold at Sh75.

At the time, millers noted that it would have been able to sell it at the ordered price if the government would have bought the maize at Sh1,600 per bag.

Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri at a past event ece-auto-gen

“The Sh75 per two-kilo cap being imposed and implemented by the government is off because we cannot afford to sustain that given that we buy maize at Sh2,300 to Sh2,600 per bag,” stated the chairman.

Kuguru had further remarked that the decrease in supply would result in increase of the maize flour due to its demand in the country.

Mark Mwithaga