Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi has listed reasons behind the planned importation of maize, sugar and rice from February next year.
Treasury CS Njuguna Ndungu said in a gazette notice that 900,000 metric tonnes of maize and 600,000 metric tonnes of rice will be imported into the country between February 1 and August 6, 2023.
He further stated that 100,000 metric tonnes of duty-free brown or white sugar will be imported into the country not later than March 31.
Linturi said the imports have been necessitated by deficits in local production of the food commodities.
"This year (2022) our sugar domestic demand is 980,000 metric tones while our domestic production is 700,000 metric tones leading to a shortfall of 280,000 metric tonnes which necessitates imports," the CS said.
He said the sugar will be imported from the rest of the world as the COMESA region where Kenya traditionally imports the commodity from is currently experiencing a shortage.
On maize, Linturi said Kenya's annual maize consumption stands at 52 million 90kg bags but projected production for 2022 is estimated at 34.1 million bags.
He said the shortfall is as a result of the ongoing severe drought and attack by fall army worms.
"In order to cater for the deficit, the government has found it imperative to import 10 million bags of maize to enable the country have adequate stocks to last until the next major harvest of July/August 2023," he said.
Maize importation has been a contentious topic in the country with farmers asking the government to freeze the planned shipment until after the harvest season is over in April.
They argue that the imports will flood the market, lower maize prices and make it impossible for them to recoup the cost spent on production.
A 90kg bag of maize is currently going for an average price of Sh5,000 but this may drop significantly to as low as less than Sh2,000 with cheaper imports.
In a statement on Friday, the Agriculture CS revealed that Kenya's annual rice consumption is estimated at 600,000 metric tones against the country's national production of 150,000 metric tones.
He said it's due to the deficit that 600,000 metric tonnes of rice will be imported into the country in early February.
"It is also imperative to note that due to changing consumption patterns of Kenyans, rice consumption in the country has significantly increased further straining the local supplies," Linturi said.
He stated that the country will continue to monitor the food security situation in the country and issues updates if and when necessary.
The CS said this will include updates on prices changes and any interventions that may be required to facilitate stable food security in the country.
