Kenya Government to Waive 50% Duty on 5.5 Million Bags of Yellow Maize to Tackle Flour Shortage
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has announced a plan to help ease the maize flour shortage by offering a 50% duty waiver on the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize. This move is set to address the rising demand and high prices of maize flour in the country.
On April 4, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe spoke to the press, explaining that there is increased competition between animal feed millers and maize millers who supply maize for human consumption. This has been caused by the limited maize stocks available locally.
Rising Maize Prices: The Impact on Consumers
Over the past three months, the price of a 90-kilogram bag of maize has increased by around 26%. This price hike has been passed on to consumers, making maize flour more expensive. The increased cost of production has forced maize flour millers to raise their prices, affecting families across Kenya.
Government Action to Address the Shortage
To mitigate the maize shortage, the government has introduced the 50% duty waiver. This waiver will apply to the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize over the course of one year. According to CS Mutahi Kagwe, this measure aims to reduce pressure on the country’s local white maize stocks by allowing animal feed millers to switch to yellow maize.
Kagwe assured the public that the imported yellow maize would not be genetically modified (GMO), addressing concerns from some Kenyans about the safety of imported grains.
Long-Term Plans to Boost Local Yellow Maize Production
In addition to the duty waiver, Kagwe called on local farmers to consider growing yellow maize. By doing so, farmers could help meet the annual domestic demand of over 1 million metric tonnes required by the animal feed industry. Local production of yellow maize would reduce Kenya’s reliance on imports and strengthen the country’s economy in the long term.
Price Hikes Continue
This announcement comes shortly after the National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reported that the price of maize flour rose by 2.9% between February and March 2025. The same report also highlighted price increases in other essential commodities, including kale, potatoes, tomatoes, and cooking gas.
Conclusion
The government’s plan to waive 50% of the duty on yellow maize imports is a step toward stabilizing maize flour prices in Kenya. With this initiative, consumers are expected to see more affordable maize flour prices, helping to ease the financial burden on families. Moreover, encouraging local production of yellow maize may offer a long-term solution to the country’s maize supply challenges.
Kenya Government to Waive 50% Duty on 5.5 Million Bags of Yellow Maize to Tackle Flour Shortage
