Kenya’s maize imports to hit 1. 35 million bags

Kenya will import 1.35 million 90- kilogram bags of maize by the end of June, a new food analysis report from the country’sMinistry of Agriculture says, which is a rise in projection of maize imports from about 700,000 bags in December 2011 when the ministry issued its food situation report.The East African nation expects to import 750,000 bags of maize from its neighbours in the East Africa Community while the rest, which will mainly be imported by the private sector, will come from outside the region.Kenya consumes about 3.63 million bags of maize monthly. That means by June, its 40 million people need about 15 million bags of maize.The report on food situation as at Jan. 31, notes that the country’s maize inflows during the month amounted to 73,089 bags.“This is an improvement of the inflows compared to 18,915 bags that were imported from neighbouring countries in January 2011,” says the report which was received on Thursday.On the other hand, beans inflows in January stood at 23,990 bags, which is lower than 50,847 bags received in January 2011.The report received on Thursday observes that Kenya’s maize stocks increased marginally as at Jan. 31, to 19.04 million bags from 18.71 million bags in the month of December.“Current stocks held by farmers are 13.40 million bags, traders2.01 million bags, millers 442,981 bags and cereals board 3,205, 600 bags,” says the food situation report.The increase in stocks is mainly attributed to harvesting of the short rains crop in various parts of Kenya, mainly Eastern, Coast and Central Provinces.However, while the report notes the East African nation’s food security situation was stable during the month of January, a dry spell experienced in the country will severely affect food prices in the coming months.Cessation of short rains mainly affected crops performance inagriculturally productive regions where farmers planted late. The projected increase of short rains maize stocks as well as stocks of other cereals is estimated to have a shortfall ranging from 20 percent to 35 percent.Therefore, the dry spell coupled with higher inflation, which stands atabout 18 percent, and a cautious commodity market will lead to high foodprices, says the report.The prices of most staples, especially cereals will remain aboveaverage. Wholesale maize prices in various markets across Kenya range from 30 to 43 U.S. dollars, with national average price being 38 dollars per 90kg bag.Similarly, the price of wheat, another staple in the nation, is expectedto rise.The report blames this on higher demand compared to local and regional production. “Wheat prices will remain higher than long term average in the short run until start of long rains crop harvesting. Erratic rains in most wheat growing zones led to crop failure in many places during 2011.”In particular, failure of long rains wheat in Narok County, which contributes about 40 percent of total production, severely affected production of long rains crop last year. Out of the national annual target of 5.69 million bags, only 2. 12million bags were achieved. Further, the report notes Kenya’s rainfalldistribution is likely to be poor with most regions remaining dry thus affecting food security.According to the metrological department, poor rains in Kenya have been caused by cooling temperatures in the Indian Ocean and a cyclone in Malagasy, which has lead to reduction of moisture that brings rain.

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Kenya’s maize imports to hit 1. 35 million bags