Kenyans need not worry about rising unga prices, says Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. He spoke at UN offices in Nairobi during a food summit, rejecting claims that prices will climb higher. A 2kg packet of grade one unga sells for about Sh160 today, up from Sh100 in January, with maize bags jumping from Sh3,500 to Sh4,200.
Kagwe knows some people hold maize stocks hoping for price hikes, but claims their plan will fail. The government plans to release strategic reserves from the National Cereals Board to stabilize market rates. Kenya has also talked with Tanzania about importing their maize through the East African Community trade agreements.
The ministry will soon allow duty-free yellow maize imports for animal feed producers. Feed millers can import directly, which should lower costs for livestock farmers across the country. Kagwe promised that the Strategic Food Reserve will release stocks very soon.
Kagwe knows some people hold maize stocks hoping for price hikes, but claims their plan will fail. The government plans to release strategic reserves from the National Cereals Board to stabilize market rates. Kenya has also talked with Tanzania about importing their maize through the East African Community trade agreements.
The ministry will soon allow duty-free yellow maize imports for animal feed producers. Feed millers can import directly, which should lower costs for livestock farmers across the country. Kagwe promised that the Strategic Food Reserve will release stocks very soon.
