Kenya Maize Stocks Dwindling, May be Shortages By Mid 2009

The estimated regional maize availability balance sheet prepared by the Regional Agricultural Trade Intelligence Network, RATIN, indicates that Kenya’s maize supply is likely to be tight by the end of the second quarter of the year 2009.

Kenya will be holding stocks that are less than one month’s consumption while Uganda will be holding stocks of more than one month’s consumption during the same time.

The balance sheet further shows that Tanzania is not likely to be in a tight position by end of June given that harvesting in the southern lowlands starts around June.

The report indicates that Kenya will be holding stocks of about 163,000 metric tons by end of June 2009 while the monthly consumption is about 270,000 metric tons. It means that Kenya will be in short supply of maize by an estimated 136,500 metric tons by mid 2009.

This year, Kenya had a shortfall of approximately 270,000 metric tons which the government has tried to cover by supplying millers with maize stocks held by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) which they purchased from the previous seasons. In addition the government is importing about 140,000 metric tons.

Even with this arrangement, the maize supply is still not adequate and most processors are struggling to get maize for daily milling.

The situation could get tough in July next year because NCPB will not be holding significant stocks to supply the millers.

Kenya needs to import maize to take care of the period between July and October 2009 when the next big maize harvest will be expected

Source African Press Agency

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