The arrival of a ship carrying over 42,000 tonnes of yellow maize is anticipated at the port of Mombasa from the Port of Odessa in Ukraine.
This is the initial shipment of subsidised maize to reach Kenya since December of last year when the government permitted duty-free imports to tackle shortages.
According to millers, the arrival of a vessel carrying yellow maize will not alleviate the shortage of white maize, which has caused processing operations to be suspended.
The imports are expected to have minimal impact on the cost of maize flour, which currently retails for over KES 200 for a 2kg packet of white maize flour.
Although the imports may ease the competition for white maize used for human consumption and animal feed, it remains uncertain when the next shipment will arrive in the country.
Millers are calling on the government to implement measures to cushion consumers from high flour prices, including the use of yellow maize for human consumption.
Moreover, the shortage is expected to worsen as many farmers sold their grains during and after harvest, and sourcing maize to sustain operations is becoming increasingly difficult.
In addition, millers fear that yellow maize will not sell for the desired price of KES 4,200 per 90kg bag due to global shortages.
Despite being encouraged to participate in the government’s sifted maize flour subsidy plan, millers have not received payment and are calling for the intervention of President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
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