The Government of Kenya has announced plans to waive all levies on maize imports effective July 1st, 2022.
Agriculture CS Peter Munya revealed that the measure is aimed at reducing the price of maize flour for the next three months before the next harvest.
The CS noted the measures will aid in fast-tracking the clearance of trucks at the border points and give access to raw materials required for the production. Kenya depends on Tanzania for the importation of maize used in the production of basic food items like flour.
On the other hand, Tanzania has doubled the cost of acquiring an export permit from the previous KSh27,000 to KSh52,000 per truck. The move is expected to increase the price of commodities in the country, especially unga which has already surpassed the KSh200 mark.
Increased maize flour prices continued to exert pressure on households who are already grappling with the high cost of living fuelled by high energy prices.
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