Paloma Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer, Cereal Millers Association (CMA)/FILE
The Cereal Millers Association (CMA) has refuted claims that millers have prioritised wheat imports over local wheat.
Last month, wheat farmers were up in arms with the government for allowing millers to import before mopping up the local wheat as it has been the norm.
The farmers argued that they were stranded with 321,000 bags of wheat after harvest. This prompted Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe to direct farmers and aggregators to deliver their stock to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
But millers under the Cereal Millers Association (CMA) have on Thursday disputed the claims that they prioritized wheat imports.
Paloma Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer, CMA, said in a statement that millers remain steadfast in supporting local wheat farmers while ensuring that 40 million of their consumers can access affordable and nutritious wheat products.
“The claims that millers prioritise imports over local wheat are unfounded and misleading. The data clearly shows that millers have purchased nearly all available local wheat, with imports being essential to bridge the country’s wheat deficit,” he said.
She said that over the past two decades, millers have consistently purchased all locally produced wheat at premium prices to support and incentivise production.
However, Kenya’s wheat output has declined and remains insufficient to meet demand. The country produces only seven percent of its annual requirement, approximately 1.7 million bags (153,000 metric tons), while national consumption stands at 24 million bags (2.1 million metric tons). Additionally, Kenya’s wheat harvest is spread over eight months (July to March), meaning supply is not readily available all at once.
“To ensure a steady supply of chapatis, bread, mandazis, and biscuits, Kenya must bridge a 93 percent wheat deficit through imports,” Fernandes said.
She explained that between July 2024 and February 2025, a total of 1,360,607 metric tonnes of wheat had already been imported. These imports have been approved under the East African Community (EAC) duty remission framework.
“While millers across the East African region pay a 10% duty on imported wheat, only Kenyan millers are required to pay premium prices to local farmers before being allowed to import,” Fernandes added.
“In contrast, millers in other EAC countries purchase all wheat at market prices to the detriment of Kenyan millers, who therefore cannot access or be competitive in export markets.”
She assured that CMA is committed to helping Kenyan farmers increase wheat production from 8% to at least 45% of national demand within the next five years. This, she noted, requires targeted interventions, including reducing production costs, providing tax incentives, and offering subsidies for essential farm inputs.
In addition to enhancing the current agricultural land policy, encouraging cooperative models and contract farming could further enhance productivity and increase yields.
She further pointed out that in order to stabilize Kenya's wheat industry, the government must align local wheat prices with production costs to prevent market inefficiencies.
Input-level subsidies on fertilizers and seeds can lower production costs, increasing supply and reducing market prices.
“Meanwhile, output prices should be driven by market forces to reflect supply and demand dynamics, ensuring efficiency and sustainability. This approach will enhance food security and support the long-term viability of wheat production. This strategy also helps prevent market distortions and supports the long-term viability of wheat production in Kenya,” she said.
CMA urged policymakers and all stakeholders to base discussions on accurate data rather than misinformation to safeguard Kenya’s food security.
“We remain open to engagement and collaboration in finding long-term solutions that will strengthen Kenya’s wheat sector and improve local production,” Fernades said.
