Milk Tops List of Fastest-Rising Food Prices as Packet Cost Climbs in October

Milk recorded one of the biggest price increases in Kenya in October, with the cost of a 500ml packet rising further, according to the latest report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

The report shows that a 500ml packet of fresh cow milk cost an average of KSh 64.13 in October, up from KSh 61.23 in September. This represents an increase of KSh 2.90, or 4.7 per cent, in one month.

Compared with October 2025, the price has increased from KSh 56.05, meaning consumers are now paying KSh 8.08 more per packet, a rise of 14.4 per cent.

For a household that buys one packet daily, the increase translates to approximately KSh 242 in additional spending every month.

The price of loose milk also went up. A litre of fresh, unpackaged cow milk rose from KSh 77.54 in September to KSh 80.58 in October, representing a 3.9 per cent increase.

KNBS reported that food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded annual inflation of 10.2 per cent, while overall inflation stood at 7.3 per cent.

The rising prices come amid concerns about milk supply. Kenya Dairy Board figures show that deliveries to processors declined from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July. The Star later reported a further drop to 75 million litres in August.

Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke attributed the decline to dry weather, saying that a shortage of rain had affected fodder availability.

Farmers are also dealing with high production costs. The Kenya Dairy Board estimated in May that producing one litre of milk costs between KSh 30 and KSh 37, depending on the farming system.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has pledged to address production costs by encouraging large-scale cultivation of yellow maize and soya beans for animal feed.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto announced on October 20 that farmers supplying milk to processors would receive KSh 65 per litre, alongside a KSh 2 quarterly bonus.

However, the announcement came after KNBS conducted its October retail price survey, which takes place during the second and third weeks of the month.

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