Smart farms

: 19 November 2021; Hits: 14712

Kenya in talks to begin meat export to Egypt

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By George Munene

Talks are ongoing between Nairobi and Cairo for The Kenya Meat Commission to begin export of Kenyan meat products to Egypt.

“There has been ongoing engagement between The Kenya Meat Commission and Egyptian authorities for over two years and we should hopefully see Kenyan meat in the Egyptian market in the next six months, said Joff Otieno,” Kenyan Ambassador to Egypt.

Egypt imports meat from Australia and Brazil with the average distance between the two nations and Egypt being 11,000 kilometres. This inflates the eventual price of the products which trickles down to the consumer with a kilogram of beef in Egypt costing double what it does in Kenya.

The distance from Kenya to Egypt is a much more manageable 2,928 kilometres. Both Egypt and Kenya being members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) means all goods exported between the two states are exempt from custom duties, fees and other taxes.

“There is a big market here for meat and livestock products because Egyptians do eat a lot of meat, ” Otieno explained.

Cairo forecasts Egypt’s cattle total slaughter in 2021 at 1.79 million head, up by 1.5 percent or increasing by 25,000 animals. In terms of trade Egypt’s live cattle imports forecasts in 2021 were 200,000 head. The import share of meat into the country is scheduled to increase due to beef production input costs being high in the North African nation.

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: 18 November 2021; Hits: 6197

Farmers demand improved maize prices from NCPB to match production cost

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By George Munene

Farmers from Kenya’s grain hub of North Rift Valley have demanded a rise in the price of maize being offered by The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) from Sh.1,305 for a 50 kilogram bag to Sh.3,000 for a 90 kilogram bag. This price farmers say is commensurate to the cost of production.

For a 50 kilogram bag the farmers say a fairer price would be Sh.1,700.

“Given the prevailing cost of production, it is impossible for me to make a profit from selling my maize at current prices, explained Gideon Tanui, an Elgeyo Marakwet maize farmer.

Maize farmers in the country have complained that the agriculture ministry has neglected them and focused on enacting regulations that uplift coffee, tea macadamia, avocado and potato agriculture sub-sectors.

They have vowed not to sell their maize at the prevailing prices.

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: 18 November 2021; Hits: 6626

Gov’t announces rise in sugar buying price

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By George Munene

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has announced an increase on sugar prices from the current Ksh3,833 per tonne to Ksh4,112 per tonne, effective November 18th 2021.

Therefore, the CS has directed cane millers to adhere to the new prices while making payments to the farmers, noting that any farmer being paid less should report to the Agriculture and Food Authority for redress.

In a press statement CS Munya has said that the Sugar Industry has witnessed a steady increase in sugar production due to enhanced investments by both the government and private sector players.

“Sugar production increase is due to improved availability of sugarcane in all sugar growing areas attributed to favourable weather conditions and improved cane prices,” he added.

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