Kenya's food situation improves in November

Kenya's food security situation improved in November as harvesting of long rains crops continues across the East African nation, a report from the country's Ministry of Agriculture said on Tuesday.

Harvesting of crops in high rainfall areas, according to the report titled Food Security Situation, has boosted food availability, accessibility and price stability.

"The national food security situation continued to improve in the month of November. This was mainly attributed to ongoing harvesting of long rains crops in the high rainfall areas which peaked during the month," said the report.

The ministry said ongoing short rains boosted availability and supply of vegetables, potatoes, bananas, onions, and tomatoes whose prices have dropped significantly.

A bag of cabbages in Nairobi, according to the ministry goes for 30 U.S. dollars, Irish potatoes 42 dollars and onions 9 dollars.

Kenya experienced drought mid this year with close to 3.5 million people facing hunger and starvation. The famine, coupled with other factors like depreciation of the shilling, further pushed up the cost of food prices.

The ministry noted that the price of maize has stabilized across the East African nation, with a 90 kg bag going for 30 dollars. "Prices of maize remained stable in most parts of the country with the lowest per 90 kg bag being 30 dollars compared to 56 dollars per bag in June. Food security in arid counties continued to improve because of the current short rains which saw a further improvement of pastures and food supply in the areas," said the report.

National maize stocks in Kenya now stand at 16,584,626 bags up from 14,440,367 bags in October. "The National Cereals and Produce Board holds 2,299,000 bags, farmers 11,453,825, traders 2,227,891 and millers 603,910 bags," the report said.

During the month under review, Kenya imported 188,276 bags of maize, with 169,976 coming from East African countries while 18, 300 were from outside the region.

However, beans imports reduced from 40,342 bags in October to 24,746 bags in November. "The national beans stocks stood at 1,797,244 million bags by end of November. Beans stocks are currently reducing due to continued consumption of long rains crop. These stocks can last for about two-and-half months. Stocks are expected to rise from the month of January when harvesting of the short rains crop starts," said the report.

But despite the stable food security situation, price of food in Kenya remains high, in particular maize for where a 2 kg packet goes for 1.5 dollars.