Maize Flour Prices Set To Go Down As Of July 1

According to Peter Munya, Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture, the elimination of levies imposed on imported maize, will guarantee a sufficient domestic maize supply and reduce the cost of flour production.

“We have suspended all levies and charges on maize coming into the country from all border points. The move is aimed at averting the maize shortage crisis and ensuring cost of maize flour comes down,” said Munya.

After meeting with a number of stakeholders to discuss the situation of the maize scarcity, Munya stated at the Namanga border on Tuesday that all maize imported into the nation from Tanzania and other COMESA nations will be tax-free as of July 1.

The CS continued to say that the action will speed up the clearance of trucks bringing in maize at the border, which lately had a backlog, particularly at the Namanga border station.

He also warned individuals who were hoarding maize not to complain when affordable maize hits the market.

“It is evident that some people have been hoarding maize to punish others. We will bring down all those levies to bring down the prices to affordable levels. We do not expect any one of them to complain when the prices come down for the three months,” said Munya.

Munya stated that in addition to the suspension of tariffs, the government had also removed levies imposed on the imports of maize by flour millers, allowing the businesses to do so duty-free.

 “We have also authorised millers to import maize which is duty-free from the rest of the world for the next 90 days,” added Munya.

He added the prices of animal feeds will also come down after yellow maize has been ordered to be imported.

“We want to assure the public that we are working day and night to bring down the prices of unga and animal feeds. We will assist local business people to import maize from abroad,” said Munya.