Maize is a staple and a major source of energy supply for most Kenyans who consume cereals.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Kenyans get 57% of their energy supply from cereals such as maize, wheat, rice, and millet.[1]
In the country, maize can be consumed either as a local dish called githeri, consisting of a mixture of boiled maize and beans, or ugali, which is maize flour mixed in hot water to form a solid mass eaten alongside vegetables likes kales, spinach, and cabbages.
Quick Facts
- In 2023, Kenya produced 4,376,389 metric tons of dry maize.
- The total area under maize production in 2023 was 2,553,804 hectares.
- The total maize consumed in Kenya was 3.34 million metric tons.
- Kenya imported 488,535 metric tons of maize in 2023.
- The total value of locally produced maize in Kenya was Ksh 199 billion.
- The average farm gate price for a 90kg bag of maize was Ksh 4,094.
- The average wholesale price for a 90kg bag of maize was Ksh 5,918 in 2023.
Maize produced in Kenya – Area and volumes
In 2023, Kenya produced a total of 4,376,389 metric tons of dry maize and 481,403 metric tons of green maize.[2]
Overall, this amounted to 48.6 million 90-kg bags of dry maize.
The total area under maize cultivation in Kenya was 2,552,931 hectares in 2023, an 18% increase from 2,171,980 hectares in 2022.
Maize production increased significantly between 2022 and 2023, possibly due to increased maize yields.
In 2023, the average maize yield was 22.8 bags (90kg) per hectare, compared to 2022, when the average yield was 16 bags per hectare.
According to the Agriculture Food Authority, other factors contributing to improved yields include the issuance of subsidized fertilizers and sufficient rainfall.
Kenya consumed less maize than it produced in 2023
Compared to 2021 and 2022, Kenya consumed less maize than it produced in 2023. Total production was 4,376,389 metric tons, while consumption was 3,341,613 MT.
This means there was a surplus of 1,034,776 metric tons of maize in 2023, reducing the reliance on imports.
Note that maize imports reduced from 762,150 metric tons in 2022 to 488,535 metric tons in 2023, attributed to increased production, better prices, and higher yields.
From the chart below, we see the average farmgate and wholesale prices for maize since 2017.
In 2023, the average farm gate price for a 90 kg bag of maize was Ksh 4,094, while the wholesale price was Ksh 5,918.
These prices reflect a significant jump between 2021 and 2023, as wholesale prices rose by 54% while farm gate prices increased by 36.5%.
These data suggest that while farmers received higher prices for their maize between 2021 and 2023, the overall cost for this significant jump in prices was ultimately passed down to consumers, who now had to endure a higher cost of living.
The highest value of maize produced in Kenya was recorded in 2023
Given the high farmgate and wholesale maize prices recorded in 2022 and 2023, the overall value of maize produced in Kenya doubled between 2021 and 2023.
The value of maize produced in Kenya increased by 51.9% between 2021 and 2023, rising from Ksh 95.8 billion to Ksh 199 billion.
Uasin Gishu county recorded the highest value from maize production at Ksh 26.4 billion, followed by Trans Nzoia at Ksh 23.14 billion.
The top ten largest counties in Kenya by value of maize produced include:
- Uasin Gishu 26.4 billion
- Trans Nzoia 23.1 billion
- Narok 15.8 billion
- Bungoma 12.8 billion
- Nandi 12.5 billion
- Machakos 10.98 billion
- Siaya 9.7 billion
- Kisii 8.6 billion
- Nakuru 8.3 billion
- Meru 7.7 billion
Counties making the most money from maize were mostly from the Western and Rift Valley regions, while urban counties like Nairobi and Mombasa and ASALs like Garissa and Isiolo made the least from maize production.
Maize production in Kenya was highest in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties.
In 2023, Uasin Gishu produced 538,196 tons of maize, while Trans Nzoia produced 530,183 tons.
The top ten largest maize-producing counties in Kenya were:
- Uasin Gishu 538,196 t
- Trans Nzoia 530,183 t
- Narok 403,429 t
- Bungoma 267,322 t
- Nandi 253,293 t
- Machakos 253,281 t
- Nakuru 215,412 t
- Kakamega 187,453 t
- Meru 186,881 t
- Siaya 151,865 t
Isiolo county only produced 197 tons, Garissa 204 tons, Nairobi 643 tons, Marsabit 2,359 tons, Mombasa 2,403 tons, Turkana 2,403 tons, Wajir 3,064 tons, and Mandera 3,194.
Total land area under maize cultivation in Kenya by county
The total area in Kenya under maize production in 2023 was 2,553,804 hectares.
Makueni County had the largest land area under maize cultivation, with 194,977 hectares cultivated. Narok was second, with 168,860 hectares under maize production.
Other counties with large tracts of land under maize production were Machakos with 158,086 Ha, Meru with 142,379 Ha, Trans Nzoia with 125,065 Ha, and Uasin Gishu with 117,923 Ha.
Counties with the smallest land area under maize cultivation included Garissa with 142 Ha, Isiolo with 256 Ha, Nairobi with 758 Ha, Wajir with 1,146 Ha, Mombasa with 1,750 Ha, and Turkana with 1,750 Ha.
See Also
- Wheat Production in Kenya by County – Agriculture Statistics
- Kenya Food Crops Statistics
- Food Poverty in Kenya by County
- A Large Share of Food Consumed in Kenya is Purchased
References
[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2023) – with major processing by Our World in Data. "Share of dietary energy supply derived from cereals, roots, and tubers – FAO" [dataset]. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, "Food Security and Nutrition: Suite of Food Security Indicators" [original data].
[2] Agriculture Food Authority (2024). Food Crops Yearbook of Statistics.