This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
Kenya's maize imports have been largely supplied by Tanzania and Uganda, with the two countries accounting for 58 and 39 per cent of the imports, respectively, in the second quarter of 2020.
According to the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG) East Africa Cross Border Trade report, 77 per cent of the white maize grain exports were destined for Kenya, while 18 per cent were headed to South Sudan.
The report also noted that the price of white maize grain in Kenya is expected to trend typically, but remain slightly higher than the recent five-year average, as the country fills the gap in supply by imports from overseas.
However, the traded volume of white maize in the region dropped by 58 per cent in the second quarter, from 97,960 metric tonnes during the first quarter of the year, due to delayed effects of Covid-19 measures to control infections.
As at June 31, the Ministry of Agriculture's food balance sheet showed that the country's maize stockpile stood at 3.45 million bags against the required 4.25 million bags needed to feed Kenyans monthly.
