Kenya is seeking to immediately purchase 10.8 million 90kg bags of maize from Zambia to bridge a projected supply deficit following expectations of a below-normal harvest.
The request was made during a meeting at the Cabinet Office between a Kenyan delegation and Zambia’s Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Siazongo Siakalenge.
Baita Trading Limited Director Martin Kinoti said the Kenyan grain trading company was ready to buy and transport the maize once the trade terms are agreed.
Kenya has declared a requirement of about 25 million 90kg bags, equivalent to approximately 2.2 million metric tonnes, creating a need for additional imports to meet domestic demand.
Discussions between the two sides are focused on quantities, pricing, payment terms, logistics and the reservation of available stocks.
Zambia has indicated that it has sufficient grain to supply both its domestic market and regional buyers. Dr Siakalenge said the country produced about 5.1 million metric tonnes of maize this year, with a further 1.6 million metric tonnes carried over from the previous season.
The stock position, he said, gives Zambia capacity to export maize to countries experiencing grain shortages.
The Zambian Government is ready to support exports once the relevant parties conclude the trade arrangements, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional maize supplier.
The discussions are part of wider Kenya-Zambia cooperation, which also includes tourism benchmarking as Zambia works towards attracting five million international tourist arrivals by 2031.
