Kagwe orders more yellow maize imports to tame unga prices

The government will waive import duty of 50 percent for 5.5 million bags of yellow maize imported over the next year in a bid to stabilise unga prices.  

In a statement on Friday, April 4, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the yellow maize will primarily be used for animal feed, while white maize would be reserved for human consumption.  

Millers producing both animal and human feed have been competing for white maize, driving up the demand amid limited supply, which has led to a rise in unga prices.  

“As a result of this increasing demand, the price of a 90-kilogram bag of maize has risen by approximately 26 percent compared to three months ago,” stated Kagwe. 

“This upward trend in maize prices has directly impacted the cost of production, prompting millers to pass the increases onto consumers through higher maize flour (unga) prices.”  

According to CS Kagwe, the government will identify animal feed millers eligible for importation, requiring them to prove their capacity to process yellow maize before receiving clearance to import the non-GMO variety.  

The move aligns with the government’s plan to shift animal feed production entirely to yellow maize.  

“I  urge our farmers to consider the cultivation of yellow maize to meet the domestic demand of over 1 million metric tonnes required annually by the animal feed industry. This shift will reduce dependency on imports and contribute positively to our economy,” Kagwe said.  

Meanwhile, the government will continue supplying millers producing maize flour for human consumption with grains from the National Strategic Food Reserve.  

A 2kg packet of maize flour currently sells for between Sh130 and Sh195, depending on the brand and retailer.