The fall in the price of maize flour for the first time in 3 years is a significant relief for Kenyan households who are still coping with the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Currently, there is low demand from millers and consumers who have opted for cheaper supplies from posho mills, thereby instigating a significant drop in maize flour prices.
The chairperson of United Grain Millers Association, Ken Nyagah stated, "Demand is very low at the moment; in fact, it's worse than it was a few months ago when Covid-19 had just struck.
Low purchasing power has now seen consumers opt for posho mill flour because it's affordable."
According to reports, major maize flour brands have cut cost because millers still hold huge volumes of unsold stocks.
In retail chains, the retail price of a two-kilogramme packet of major flour brands has dropped from Ksh 108 to Ksh 101 for Pembe, Soko brand is selling at Ksh 103 while Jogoo has dropped from Ksh108 to Ksh 99.
The price of a packet of maize flour spiked to Ksh 120 in 2020.
National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) is currently buying a 90-kilogramme bag of maize at Ksh 2,500, Ksh300 more compared to the amount traders offer to farmers.
Nevertheless, farmers are still pushing the NCPB to revise the prices upward.
Although NCPB previously purchased bags of maize on behalf of the government for the Strategic Food Reserve, the entity is currently
targeting to purchase a minimum of a million bags for commercial purposes.
NCPB regional manager in the North Rift region Gilbert Rotich stated, "We have started buying commercial maize from farmers this season and we are already receiving the grain."
The Covid-19 pandemic, has had a negative impact on the country's economic sector. Consequently, most households have had a difficult time fending for their families.
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