Kenya faces maize flour price surge amid inflationary pressures
KENYA – Maize flour, a cornerstone of the Kenyan diet, is experiencing sharp price increases, adding to the financial strain on households, according to a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
This trend coincides with an uptick in the country’s inflation rate, which rose to 2.8% in November 2024 from 2.7% in October.
KNBS reports that sifted maize flour prices have increased by 5.1%, fortified maize flour by 4.9%, and loose maize flour by 2%.
The broader food sector is also feeling the strain, with other staples recording notable price increases.
Sugar, a household essential, has seen the steepest monthly rise, surging by 5.3% to KES158 per kilogram. Cooking oil prices are also climbing, with salad oil up by 3.1% to KES 342.54 per liter.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures price changes for a fixed basket of goods and services, has risen from 140.44 in October to 140.81 in November.
KNBS attributes these findings to data collected from 50 urban zones across Kenya during the second and third weeks of November.
The escalating cost of maize flour and other essential commodities is exacerbating Kenya’s cost of living crisis, particularly for low- and middle-income households.
With the holiday season approaching, KNBS emphasizes that inflationary trends are likely to impact consumer spending patterns during this period.
While current prices highlight inflationary pressures, the monthly Food and Nutrition Security Report reported that maize flour prices in Kenya declined significantly in October.
According to the report, the average retail price of a two-kilogram packet of maize flour (unga) dropped to KES 110 (US$0.74), a 20% decrease from September’s KES 139 (US$0.93).
The report highlighted that maize meal prices have remained consistently below 2023 levels, attributing the decline to the availability of domestic stocks at the household level.
“The maize meal prices have been reducing and have remained below the 2023 prices.”
Earlier, the government of Kenya announced that the country is expected to witness an increase in maize production this year, driven by the national government’s continued support through its fertilizer subsidy program.
Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, highlighted the success of the program, noting that maize seed growers contracted by the Kenya Seed Company have more than doubled their productivity compared to last year.
Specifically, he revealed that maize seed production has jumped from 27 million kilograms in the previous season to 70 million kilograms this year.
“This increased productivity can be attributed to several factors, but one which stands out is the government’s fertiliser subsidy programme,” said the PS.
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