Kenya may have to allow importation of four million bags of duty-free maize to cover for an expected deficit following a decline in supplies from Uganda. The National Food and Nutrition Balance Security Report for March prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture says the poor supply from the neighbouring country and delayed short rains could make it necessary for Kenya to import maize. The move is expected to bridge the deficit and check the high prices of the staple in the country in order to cushion consumers.
“Poor regional imports or delayed rains may warrant the government to allow the private sector to import at least four million bags duty free maize outside the EAC and Comesa region,” reads the report. “Farmers in Uganda are hoarding their maize stock in anticipation of higher prices and we are getting less quantities from there.” There have been talks by millers that most of the maize from Uganda is now heading to South Sudan because of the good prices that it is fetching there as opposed to exporting to Kenya.