RELIEF TO POOR KENYANS.

Kenyans are now celebrating after receiving this news. The price of maize flour has dropped to an average of Ksh100 in some brands for the first time in 3 years, a welcome relief for Kenyan households who are still coping with the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic l

The drop in prices is attributed to low demand by millers and consumers who have opted for cheaper supplies from posho mills, further reducing the demand.

“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,” chairperson of United Grain Millers Association, Ken Nyagah stated.

Reports indicate that millers still hold huge volumes of unsold stocks, another factor which saw major maize flour brands cut cost.

The retail price of a two-kilogramme packet of major flour brands in retail chains have 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.

In 2020, the price of a packet of maize flour went as high as Ksh 120.   

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.

However, farmers are still pushing the NCPB to revise the prices upward. 

NCPB is targeting to purchase a minimum of a million bags for commercial purposes. Previously, the board would purchase on behalf of the government for the Strategic Food Reserve.

“We have started buying commercial maize from farmers this season and we are already receiving the grain,” NCPB regional manager in the North Rift region Gilbert Rotich affirmed.

This comes as the country has experienced a downward trajectory in the economic sector due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This has been majorly attributed to to thousands losing the I source of income  hence making it hard for various households to fend for the families. 

Source: Kenyans.co.ke