• This is based on carryover stocks of 36.6 million bags and estimated 1.08 million of 50kg bags as forecast imports over the next three months.
• The Rice Balance Sheet shows a surplus of 4.1 million 50kg bags based on carryover stocks 3.3 million bags.
Image: HANDOUT
The National Food Balance sheet projects that by the end of next month there will be a maize surplus of about 31.07 million of 50 kilo bags.
This is based on carryover stocks of 36.6 million bags and estimated 1.08 million of 50kg bags as forecast imports over the next three months.
Agriculture PS Paul Rono said the status of the national stocks and consumption estimates shows that about 24.5 million bags of maize will be harvested from the long rains crop.
“The available stocks are enough for the country up to the next main harvest of long rains starting August 2024 in most counties,” he said.
The PS said the wheat balance sheet projected to end of next month shows a surplus of 10.2 million 50kg bags, assuming the private sector imports of 8.7 million bags in the next three months.
The Rice Balance Sheet shows a surplus of 4.1 million 50kg bags based on carryover stocks 3.3 million bags.
The beans balance sheet projected to end of this month shows a surplus of 10.3 million of 50kg bags based on carryover stocks of 3.4 million bags.
Approximately 270,000 bags are estimated imports by the private sector over the next three months and about nine million bags to be harvested by early June and July.
The PS said the total imports of maize for May decreased to 516,151 bags from 523,771 bags in April. In March, 633,555 bags were imported.
“Most of the maize imports came from Tanzania, with considerable amounts coming in from Uganda,” Rono said.
He said the quantity of beans imported in May doubled from 5,153 bags (50kgs) to 11,931 (50kg) imported in April.
The quantity of rice imported in May decreased to 352,300 (50kg) bags compared to 610,020 bags imported in April and 1.185 million bags imported in March.
The recent Food and Nutrition Security Report, according to the PS, has improved from May and most of the staple foods are available both at household level and markets.
“The prices of basic staples, especially cereals and pulses continued to decline in May as some farmers who had been keeping the stocks on speculation decided to release the stocks into the market,” Rono said
“The overall gradual decline in staple food prices continues to improve household food access and availability, with cross-border imports and prospects of harvests from the current season likely to maintain price declines in the coming months.”
On food commodity prices trends, the balance sheets show that food prices continue to be high compared to long-term average at this time of the year but all have shown signs of decrease except for rice.
In May, the national average wholesale price of a 90kg bag of maize decreased from Sh3,600 to Sh3,450 and the highest wholesale price was reported in Kisii and Kisumu at Sh4,000 per 90kg bag
However, the average wholesale price of beans in May increased to Sh12,051 compared to Sh11,285 in April, Sh12,000 in March and Sh12,050 in February.
The prices have stabilised compared to 2023 due to availability of domestic stocks at household level.
The average wholesale price for a 50kg bag of Irish potatoes also increased in May to Sh3,900 compared to April wholesale price of Sh3,500.
This was driven by low supplies but the next major harvest for newly planted crops is expected this month.