Worrying News as The Following Commodities’ Prices are Set to Rise

Kenyans could soon pay more for basic food items, including fresh milk, maize flour, wheat flour, sugar and garden peas, following a new report by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

The CBK raised the concern in its September 2026 Agriculture Sector Survey, released on Wednesday, October 21. The report linked the expected price increases to prolonged dry weather, high fuel prices and rising transportation costs.

According to the survey, 74 per cent of 466 farmers, retailers and wholesalers interviewed expected the price of fresh packeted milk to increase. This raises concerns for households that depend on milk as part of their daily meals.

The survey also showed growing expectations of higher prices for other common food items. Expectations of a rise in white wheat flour prices increased from 29 per cent in August to 48 per cent in September.

For fortified maize flour, the figure rose from 31 per cent to 47 per cent during the same period. Meanwhile, expectations of higher prices for sifted maize flour increased from 19 per cent to 40 per cent.

Sugar prices could also go up, with the number of respondents expecting an increase rising from 15 per cent to 28 per cent.

Garden peas were also listed among the foods whose prices could rise in October and the coming months.

The CBK survey identified weather conditions as a major factor affecting food prices. About 97 per cent of respondents cited weather, while 92 per cent pointed to transportation costs. Another 80 per cent identified the cost of agricultural inputs as a challenge.

The report further noted that 62 per cent of respondents blamed middlemen and brokers for influencing retail prices, while 58 per cent cited disruptions in global supply chains.

The poor March-to-May 2026 long rains season also affected pasture and reduced milk supplies, putting additional pressure on milk prices.

The expected increases could put more pressure on Kenyan families already struggling with the cost of living. If the trend continues, households may have to spend more on basic food items in the coming weeks.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LREpLWEt8/

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