• There is also a problem of maize shortage in the market that is free from aflatoxin.
• Nyaga explained that most of the consumers have either moved to the rural areas and those in the cities are getting their food supplies from the countryside.
Image: FILE
Some small-scale millers in the country have temporally closed because of the effects of Covid-19 and lack of maize free from aflatoxin.
Kennedy Nyaga, chairman of the United Grains Millers Association, said, “Due to loss of income, the purchasing power of consumers has gone down and the demand for packaged maize meal has reduced.”
He spoke to the Star on Wednesday. Nyaga explained that most of the consumers have either moved to the rural areas and those in the cities are getting their food supplies from the countryside.
There are 110 milling companies or members under the umbrella of the United Grain Millers Association that controls 65 per cent of the milling capacity in the country.
Large-scale millers, under the Cereal Millers Association, control 30 per cent. The remaining five per cent are individual associations and the posho millers.
“Before the pandemic, small-scale firms milled maize flour on order but today some millers are having to stay with stock for almost two weeks. There is also a problem of maize shortage in the market that is free from aflatoxin.
"This coupled with the low purchasing power has resulted to some millers closing up shop temporarily until a time when the demand goes up,” he said.
A 90kg bag of maize is selling at between Sh3,200 and Sh3,500 across the country. A packet of 2kg packet of maize flour is retailing at between Sh98 and Sh115.
Nyaga said the imported maize will be selling at Sh3,200 for a 90kg bag when it gets to the Port of Mombasa and the price will increase to Sh3,500 in Nairobi and about Sh3,700 in Nakuru.
The East African Business Council report released in May on the impact of Covid-19 on the agriculture sector in East African Community indicated neither the virus nor the locust respect national borders, and either one could, on its own, cause people to go hungry. Together, they could spell disaster for millions in East Africa and neighbouring regions.
“This situation has the potential to wreak havoc on the region’s food supply, at a time when shutdowns and market disruptions due to Covid-19 are also threatening to create a food crisis,” the EABC report showed.
Food and Agriculture Organization said despite favourable climatic forecasts for regional harvests, Covid-19 could decrease food availability across the region if restrictions prevent people from travelling from urban areas to their farms during the planting season.
“If the supply chain for agricultural inputs is disrupted, delayed or if prices increase, farmers will likely see their yields drop. Although the global cereal market is adequate and not expected to face shortages during the Covid-19 shock, the nominal purchase prices for imported foods on local markets are likely to rise, as most countries in the region are net importers of cereal,” the UN food agency said.
Edited by A.N