Kenya’s NCPB storage revenue declines by 6% in 2024, KNBS
This drop comes despite a significant increase in leased storage capacity, from 14.1 million to 23.9 million 50-kg bags
KENYA – The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) of Kenya reported a 6.1% decline in revenue from leasing its storage and warehouse facilities, earning approximately US$ 2.75 million (KES 359.7 million) in 2024, down from US$ 2.93 million (KES383.2 million) in 2023.
This drop comes despite a significant increase in leased storage capacity, from 14.1 million to 23.9 million 50-kg bags, according to the 2025 Economic Survey released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
Uasin Gishu County led the country in leased storage volumes at 3.5 million bags, followed by Nairobi City (1.5 million), Bungoma (1.4 million), and Nakuru (1.3 million). Other notable counties included Trans Nzoia (1.08 million), Elgeyo Marakwet (54,000), Wajir (72,000), and Lamu (72,000). Isiolo County had no recorded storage capacity.
The leased warehouses store key staples such as maize, wheat, and rice.
The KNBS notes that all reported storage capacities adhere to labor law requirements, which limit the weight that workers can handle to 50 kg for men and 25 kg for women, hence the reporting is standardized to 50-kg bags.
Since 2020, NCPB has been required to allocate at least 25% of its national storage capacity to the private sector through competitive commercial leasing, forming part of the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS).
This system allows farmers to store their produce in certified warehouses, where it is cleaned, graded, and stored. Upon storage, farmers receive a warehouse receipt that serves as proof of ownership and can be used to access credit or trade in formal commodity markets.
The Warehouse Receipt System Council (WRSC), established in 2020, plays a central role in regulating and scaling up WRS adoption across Kenya.
The system has proven to reduce post-harvest losses, improve price stability for staple crops, and increase farmer earnings.
According to WRSC data, a maize farmer in Trans Nzoia was able to sell stored maize at US$ 34.65 per bag (KES 4,500) after several months, compared to US$ 19.25 per bag (KES 2,500) during the peak harvest glut.
In 2024, WRSC launched the AgriGHALA digital platform, which allows farmers to access warehouse services and market their stored produce online.
Additionally, the Mauka Warehouse in Nakuru became Kenya’s first farmer-owned certified warehouse, representing a significant shift toward community-led post-harvest storage solutions.
Despite increased capacity and supportive policies, the decline in storage revenue points to potential inefficiencies or underutilization of expanded storage infrastructure.
Experts suggest that further public-private collaboration and increased farmer awareness could help NCPB and the broader WRS network capitalize more effectively on these assets.
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