Kenya has imported wheat from Russia, coinciding with the nation’s current struggle with wheat shortages resulting in high prices.
A consignment from the Port of Novorossiysk in southern Russia arrived through Mombasa ports on February 7th 2023, and another shipment from Russia is expected to arrive on February 12th 2023.
The import of wheat into the country is expected to help reduce the prices of wheat flour, which is currently retailing at around KES 200 per 2-kilogram packet due to a shortage caused by the Ukraine-Russia war disrupting the supply chain.
Russia and Ukraine are significant global producers of wheat. Still, according to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), local production has been hindered by drought, high input costs, and quelea bird infestations. To address the shortage, millers imported at least 1.5 million 90-kilo bags of wheat last year to replenish their stock.
Local wheat production for the current season was lower at 1.2 million 90 kg bags compared to 1.8 million last season.
Last year in October, Kenya received 51,000 tons of wheat from Ukraine, making Ukraine’s share of the commodity in the Kenyan market comprise around 15 per cent of the overall Kenyan wheat import balance.
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