Commodity & Trade Updates

Kenya has positioned itself as East Africa’s leading supplier of raw barley, with exports estimated at 39,997 tonnes in 2025.

The expected declines could increase pressure on grain supply chains serving the country’s food manufacturing, milling and livestock feed industries.

The second production forecast for winter crops put the overall winter crop at 2.67 million tonnes, up 2% from the previous season, but the wheat component remains under pressure due to reduced plantings and dry conditions in key growing areas.

Malawi is considering importing Kazakh wheat, a move that could give Kazakhstan its first recorded wheat market in sub-Saharan Africa after years of sales concentrated in North Africa.

Ethiopia imports about 80% of the rice it consumes, while the government aims to reach 1.93 million tonnes of paddy rice output by 2030.