- He said traditional maize producing countries like Tanzania, Zambia have also experienced climate change problems leading to shortage of maize.
- He said due to the shortage, people have been flocking to South Africa because it is the only country with maize surplus for export.
Image: file
Millers and grain importers have as at this month imported 120,000 metric tonnes of maize.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Kello Harsama said of the 1.4 metric tonnes (10 million bags) that was gazetted, only 120,000 metric tonnes of maize has arrived in the country.
He urged Kenyans with the capacity to import maize to seek import licenses from the government and help bring maize to the country.
“There has been a delay in importing maize from people who have been given the permits but we understand this is due to a shortage of maize in the region,” the PS said.
He said the traditional maize producing countries like Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda and other Southern Africa countries have also experienced climate change problems leading to shortage of maize.
He said due to the shortage, people have been flocking to South Africa because it is the only country with maize surplus for export.
“Even South Sudan, Rwanda, Angola and other countries who are maize deficient are struggling to buy maize from South Africa just like us. We are asking any Kenya who is interested and who has the capacity to import, to come to us and we will issue them with the import permit,” Harsama said.
In December last year, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development granted millers and grain importers a duty waiver of 1.4 metrictonnes (10 million bags) of maize and 1.1 metictonnes (six million bags) of rice. This was to lower the prices of maize flour and rice.
By March, 43,173 million tonnes of rice had been imported and the ministry had further ordered 500,000 metric tonnes of yellow maize and 200,000 metric tonnes of soya beans for livestock feed manufacturing.
This was aimed at cushioning consumers who are currently grappling with the high cost of maize flour which is selling at between Sh180 to Sh230 per two-kilo packet while a 90 kg bag of maize is selling at Sh6,000.
According to Eastern Africa Grain Council CEO Gerald Masila, more genetically modified maize is being produced globally than non-GMO.
He said sourcing of white maize in the market, particularly non-GMO maize, is a challenge because there is a serious shortage in the world.
“Importers are only sourcing for the non-GMO white maize which is difficult to get. The availability is low and even when you find it, the prices are premium. This is why it has not been possible to bring down the cost of maize through duty free imports,” Masila said.
-Edited by SKanyara