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 51% 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 like kales, spinach, and cabbage.
Quick Facts
- In 2024, Kenya produced 4,028,320 metric tons of dry maize.
- The total area under maize production in 2024 was 2,414,536 hectares.
- The total maize consumed in Kenya was 2.72 million metric tons.
- Kenya imported 214,067 metric tons of maize in 2024.
- Kenya's total value of locally produced maize was Ksh 154 billion in 2024.
- The average farm gate price for a 90kg bag of maize was Ksh 3,443.
- The average wholesale price for a 90kg bag of maize was Ksh 5,918 in 2023.
Maize produced in Kenya – Area and volumes
In 2024, Kenya produced 4,028,320 tons of dry maize.[2]
Overall, this amounted to 44.7 million 90-kg bags of dry maize.
The total area under maize cultivation in Kenya was 2,414,536 hectares in 2024, a 5.4% decrease from 2,552,931 hectares in 2023.
Maize production decreased between 2023 and 2024, possibly due to lower maize yields between the two periods.
In 2024, the average maize yield was 18.5 bags (90kg) per hectare, compared to 22.8 bags per hectare in 2023.
According to the Agriculture Food Authority, factors contributing to improved yields in 2023 included the issuance of subsidized fertilizers and sufficient rainfall.
Kenya consumed less maize than it produced in 2024
Compared to 2021 and 2022, Kenya consumed less maize than it produced in 2023 and 2024. Total production was 4,028,320 metric tons, while consumption was 2,715,793 MT.
This means there was a surplus of 1,312,527 metric tons of maize in 2024, reducing the reliance on imports.
Note that maize imports reduced from 488,535 metric tons in 2023 to 214,067 in 2024 due to higher production.
Farmgate and wholesale prices of maize
The chart below shows the average farmgate and wholesale prices for maize since 2017.
In 2024, the average farm gate price for a 90 kg bag of maize was Ksh 3,443, while the wholesale price was Ksh 5,918 in 2023.
The average farmgate price reduced by 15.9% in 2024, from Ksh 4,094 in 2023.
The value of maize produced in Kenya decreased in 2024
Given the reduced farmgate maize prices recorded in 2024, the overall value of maize produced in Kenya reduced between 2023 and 2024.
The value of maize produced in Kenya reduced by 22.6% between 2023 and 2024, falling from Ksh 199 billion to Ksh 154 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 in 2023 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 mainly from the Western and Rift Valley regions. In contrast, 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 2024, Uasin Gishu produced 483,211 tons of maize, while Trans Nzoia produced 423,156 tons.
The top ten largest maize-producing counties in Kenya were:
- Uasin Gishu 483,211 t
- Trans Nzoia 423,156 t
- Narok 224,236 t
- Kakamega 212,753 t
- Bungoma 207,846 t
- Nakuru 210,876 t
- Nandi 179,389 t
- Migori 148,919 t
- Homa Bay 146,866 t
- Siaya 143,979 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 2024 was 2,414,536 hectares.
Machakos County had the largest land area under maize cultivation, with 158,761 hectares cultivated. Makueni was second, with 155,337 hectares under maize production.
Other counties with large tracts of land under maize production were Meru with 136,082 Ha, Trans Nzoia with 124,976 Ha, Narok with 122,245 Ha, and Uasin Gishu with 107,009 Ha.
Counties with the smallest land area under maize cultivation included Garissa with 222 Ha, Wajir with 278 Ha, Isiolo with 288 Ha, Nairobi with 713 Ha, Mombasa with 867 Ha, and Marsabit with 1,830 Ha.
See Also
- Avocado production in Kenya by county
- 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 (2024) – 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.