Maize farmers are a frustrated lot as they grapple with dropping produce prices amid rising costs of inputs.
Maize prices have dropped by Sh400 to Sh2,800 per 90 kilogram bag.
This comes after demand for processed flour has declined as some consumers have opted for posho mill flour, which has impacted negatively on farmers’ operations.
“What we are witnessing is that most millers, large and small, have cut purchases due to a decline in demand for flour caused by low purchasing power among consumers,” said Grain Belt Millers Association chairman Kipng’etich Mutai.
Additionally the arrival of cheap produce from East Africa Community (EAC) member States-Uganda and Tanzania has also contributed to the decline in maize prices to the relief of consumers who will pay less for the stable product.
Millers have warned of further decline in maize prices following the harvest of short-term crops and the arrival of cheap produce to EAC member States.
Last year, farmers had announced that maize prices could drop further, a situation that would demoralise farmers by narrowing profit margins, considering that there has been no fertiliser subsidy in the past two planting seasons.
The high cost of living and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy has prompted some small-scale maize producers to harvest early, sun-dry the grains before selling amid poor demand.
The producers in financial need are selling freshly-harvested grains to traders and millers to offset debts and meet other financial obligations.
