This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On October 30, 2019, the price of dry white maize increased, sparking concerns of a costly flour market.
Traders, who import the grain from Tanzania, have alerted millers that they will raise the price of the commodity from Sh3,700 to Sh4,000 per 90-kilogramme bag, starting this week.
According to millers, traders had been hoarding their stocks, releasing limited quantities to influence prices ahead of new contracts.
"We are not getting sufficient stocks at the moment and traders have indicated that they will be selling to us a 90-kg bag at Sh4,000 in the next contract," said Nick Hutchinson, chief executive at Unga Limited.
The current maize stocks are imported from Uganda and Tanzania due to the ongoing rains delaying the harvesting of the main crop in the North Rift region.
As a result, the price of maize flour has already reached a two-year high, with a two-kilo packet retailing at Sh135, up from Sh120.
