Despite growing optimism on the economic performance in the country, Kenyans will still continue to grapple with increased food prices.
According to the March 2024 Agriculture Sector Survey by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), food items such as rice and potatoes are set to increase in April.
The report detailed that despite the fact that the price of rice increased in March, there was still concern about the possible increase “due to supply chain disruptions arising from the crisis in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.”
Further, the report indicated that the prices of potatoes and tomatoes will increase at a subdued pace compared to the increase in March.
Prices for onions across the country are also expected to increase.
“Prices of potatoes and tomatoes were, however, expected to increase in the next one month, though at a subdued pace relative to the expected increase in the February 2024 survey.
“Onion prices remained elevated as observed in both February and March 2024 surveys, and respondents expected a further increase in April 2024. The impact of the harvest on prices was expected to be dampened by the high demand for onions both locally and within the East Africa Community (EAC) region, particularly Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan,” indicated the report.
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Food Items Whose Prices Will Decrease
Despite the increase expected to be recorded in April, the survey indicated that there were food items whose prices will drastically drop as a result of favorable weather, reduction in pump prices and the continued strengthening of the Kenya shilling.
The prices of food cereals including beans, maize grain, and green grams are expected to decrease because of an increase in supply from the Eastern Region.
“A larger proportion of respondents expect a general downward trend in food prices and overall consumer price in the next one month as well as in the next three months,” indicated the survey.
Similarly, the price of processed and unprocessed milk is expected to remain stable because of increased pasture resulting from favorable rainfall.
In addition, the survey recorded a decrease in the price expectations for vegetable items including kales/sukuma wiki, cabbages, spinach, and traditional vegetables.
“The weather conditions have been favorable for growing of fresh vegetables,” added the CBK report.
Expectations about prices of cooking oil and cooking fat in March 2024 survey pointed to a marginal decline in April 2024.
“This was informed by the observed easing of international prices of edible oils following recovery of global palm oil production and the relatively stronger Kenya shilling in March 2024,” the report indicated.
Also Read: List of Commodities Whose Prices Dropped, Increased in March
Access to Government Subsidized Fertilize
According to the survey, the proportion of respondents who reported to have accessed government subsidized fertilizer increased substantially to 67 percent in March 2024, from 53 percent in January 2024 survey.
The respondents stated that they were not able to access the fertilizers because of lack of information on availability of the subsidized fertilizer.
Other reasons given included challenges around the logistics of access, and demand outstripping supply.
In other instances, priority was given to farmers who were members of a farming group, making it difficult for those who did not belong to any farming group to benefit from the subsidized fertilizer.
“There were also instances where farmers indicated they were notified through their mobile phones to go to the nearest National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot to get the fertilizer, but they did not have the means to travel,” stated the report.
