Kenyans are advised to prepare for a considerable rise in the prices of various essential food-related items beginning in February of this year.
The Agriculture Sector Survey report published by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) on Tuesday, February 11, indicates that prices for cereals and related products are expected to rise for the second consecutive month this year.
The survey, which gathered responses from selected wholesale and retail markets as well as chosen farms, also indicated a potential increase in the prices of kale, traditional vegetables, cabbages, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, sugar, and cooking oil.
The expected price rise was ascribed to the serious effects of insufficient rainfall in the short rainy season from October to December of the previous year.
The report pointed out that insufficient and unprecedented rainfall resulted in seasonal drought, causing crops to wilt and contributing to a generally low crop yield.
The possible increase in oil prices on the international market, primarily driven by uncertainties surrounding the Middle East conflict, was another factor contributing to the potential rise in food prices.
Moreover, respondents indicated that small price hikes for specific essential food items in the global market—especially processed goods like sugar, cooking fat, and vegetable oil—were likely to affect local prices.
The extraordinary surge in food prices was anticipated to impact overall inflation, which is expected to rise over the next three months.
Nonetheless, even though the prices of various commodities are expected to increase, the survey pointed out a possible decrease in the prices of different types of rice and dairy products.
Likewise, the anticipated beneficial rainfall from March to April of this year was expected to lead to a rise in total farm production over the next few months.
It was anticipated that advantageous governmental measures, like the provision of subsidised fertiliser, would enhance production among farmers and raise the chances of a decline in food prices in the upcoming months.
