Kenya to Import One Million Bags of Maize After Crop Shortfall

The government plans to import one million 90-kilogram bags of maize to replenish its strategic reserves after adverse weather conditions disrupted the 2026 harvest, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced.

Kagwe said the planned importation is part of measures to address an expected maize shortfall that could reach 5.4 million 90-kilogram bags by the end of September.

The Agriculture CS said the projected deficit requires urgent policy measures, warning that reduced production could put further pressure on the country’s food supply and maize prices in the coming months.

The 2026 crop was affected after rains arrived earlier than expected, before a prolonged dry spell hit during critical stages of crop development. 

The weather pattern affected crop establishment and flowering, particularly in some of the country’s major maize-growing regions, according to Bloomberg. 

Kagwe said the disruption was compounded by delays in the delivery of subsidised fertiliser, which affected farmers’ ability to access key inputs during the planting season and contributed to the expected decline in production.

The Agriculture CS warned that the lower harvest could have effects beyond the current season, as reduced earnings could leave farmers with less money to purchase seeds, fertiliser, and other inputs needed for the next planting cycle.

To cushion the country against the anticipated shortage, the government plans to import one million 90-kilogram bags of maize for the strategic grain reserves.

Kagwe said the procurement could be undertaken through a government-to-government arrangement, with the development coming after a rise in maize flour prices in June.

However, the planned imports represent less than a fifth of the projected 5.4 million-bag deficit, raising the possibility of additional interventions if domestic supplies fall further than anticipated.

Kagwe warned that depressed yields could widen the maize deficit, potentially forcing the government to consider contingency imports or release part of the strategic reserves to stabilise supply and meet domestic demand.

The projected shortage comes at a time when consumers are already facing pressure from higher maize flour prices. 

During June, the price of a two-kilogram packet of maize flour ranged between Ksh153 and Ksh163, according to figures presented by Kagwe.

Maize remains a key food crop in Kenya, with maize flour forming the basis of ugali, a staple consumed by millions of households. A prolonged supply gap could therefore increase pressure on household budgets, particularly if reduced production pushes market prices higher.