Local millers and traders will be able to import 900,000 tonnes of white maize and 600,000 tonnes of milled rice duty-free from February next year.
This came following the government’s announcement of an import duty waiver up to August 2023.
Moreover, the government introduced the import waiver as an effort to ensure the country has adequate stocks to last until the next harvest season in July.
The Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department for Crop Development Kello Harsama through a notice dated Wednesday, December 14, said the duty waiver shall apply to white maize and milled rice imported into the country by August 6, 2023.
“…an Import Duty Waiver will be granted for local millers and traders to import a total of 900,000 metric tons of white maize grain and 600,000 metric tons of milled rice from February 2023 to August 2023 to enable the Country have adequate stocks to last until next harvest from July- August 2023,” said PS Harsama.
In addition, the imported white maize will be required to have a moisture content not exceeding 13.5%, Aflatoxin levels shall not exceed ten parts per billion (ppb) and it shall be accompanied by a certificate of conformity issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Likewise, the PS noted that milled rice shall be grade 1 that is dried mature grains of edible Oryza species; be clean, wholesome, and uniform in size, color and shape; as well as be safe and suitable for human consumption.
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“It shall be free from abnormal flavors, musty, sour or other undesirable odour, obnoxious smell and discoloration; shall be free from micro-organisms and substances originating from micro-organisms, fungi or other poisonous or deleterious substances in amounts that may constitute a hazard to human health,” he said.
Furthermore, the PS directed all local millers and traders who are interested in submitting their details for registration to the Head/Supply Chain Management Services, fourth floor, Kilimo House within 15 days.
