Consumers should expect a drop in food prices starting this month, a new survey by CBK shows.

The survey revealed a bumper harvest in maize production, which is projected to reach 44.6 million bags, the highest since 2018.

“Production of key food crops is expected to improve in 2023 due to improved weather conditions in 2023,” said CBK in a survey.

The news is a silver lining in the wake of higher fuel prices thanks to VAT increase to 16 per cent.
Additionally, other key staple crops such as beans, sorghum and millet also experienced significant increases in production, setting the stage for improved food security and lower prices in the market.

The robust maize harvest is particularly noteworthy, as maize is a staple food in many regions. The projected production of 44.6 million bags reflects a substantial increase from previous years and indicates a positive turnaround for the agricultural sector.

The bumper crop is attributed to favourable weather conditions, increased acreage under cultivation, and improved farming practices. The surplus supply of maize is expected to ease market pressures and contribute to a reduction in food prices.

In addition to maize, the survey also highlighted significant increases in the production of other key crops. Beans production is projected to reach 8.5 million bags, the highest output since 2020.

Similarly, sorghum production is estimated at 2.3 million bags, and millet production is expected to reach 0.9 million bags, both representing the highest levels since 2020. These increased yields reflect a positive trend in crop production and contribute to the overall abundance of food supply in the market.

Rice production will, however, drop compared to 2023 due to floods that destroyed the crop in Western Kenya.

“Rice production is expected to decline in 2023 due to floods in the Ahero scheme, competing cheaper imports and pests and diseases,” the survey shows.

Separately, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi (pictured) said that the country expects a bumper harvest of 40 million bags of maize in the coming weeks.

Linturi, who was speaking during the ongoing agriculture summit in Nairobi, attributed the good harvest to adequate rains and the government’s subsidised fertilizer programme.

He said through the programme, more than 500,000 farmers from 40 counties across the country had accessed more than 3.3 million bags of subsidized fertilizer at a cost of Sh3,500 per bag.

“The situation has not been good at all in the last five years. The good news is that we have made interventions, especially the subsidized fertilizer. We expect to have a bumper harvest and I can confidently tell Kenyans maize flour prices will go down than we can even think.”

He added: “If you move across the country you will notice our farms are in good shape and the situation will only get much better. With proper production, Kenya can be able to feed itself without having to wait for donors.”