Kenya faces 45% surge in maize prices amid supply concerns
The maize shortage is driving up costs, affecting both consumers and the livestock sector.
KENYA – Kenyans are facing an unprecedented rise in the cost of maize, a staple food, as prices have surged by 45% since January 2025.
According to the industry, a 90-kilogram bag of maize now costs KES 4,800 (US$42.72), with projections indicating a further increase to KES 5,500 (US$48.95) by April.
This sharp rise is straining household budgets and posing a severe threat to food security nationwide.
The Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) has warned that if maize prices continue to escalate, ugali, a daily staple in most Kenyan homes, could soon become unaffordable for a large segment of the population.
According to the association, the maize shortage is driving up costs, affecting both consumers and the livestock sector. Poultry farmers, in particular, are struggling with the high cost of feed, which is driving up chicken and egg prices.
In response to the crisis, industry leaders, including the Poultry Breeders Association of Kenya (PBAK) and AKEFEMA, are urging the government to take immediate action. Their primary demand is a waiver on maize import duties to stabilize prices and ensure sufficient supply in the market.
The call comes after the government’s recent declaration that the country has halted maize imports, having achieved self-sufficiency.
In February, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that Kenya will not import maize or sugar in 2025 for the first time in 16 and 22 years, respectively, following impressive local production,
Kindiki was speaking at a meeting in Karen, noting that in 2022, the government had to issue permits for the importation of 10 million bags of maize. By 2023, imports reduced to around seven million bags, and in 2025, the government will not import a single bag of maize.
In its March report, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Grain and Feed Annual has reported that Kenya’s maize production is projected to reach 4.4 million metric tons in the 2025/2026 marketing year, marking a 15.8% increase from the previous season’s 3.8 million metric tons.
The USDA attributes the boost in production to a 9.5% expansion in the area dedicated to maize cultivation, increasing to 2.3 million hectares, 200,000 hectares more than the prior year. The expansion is linked to the return of favorable weather conditions following an unusually dry year.
The USDA report also forecasts a 6% rise in maize consumption, reaching 4.4 million metric tons in 2025/2026, aligning with the expected production volume. This equilibrium suggests that Kenya could achieve self-sufficiency in maize for the first time in several years, reducing reliance on imports.
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