Maize (11,304MT) was the highest traded commodity in the week ending 14th July 2017, a 143% increase from the previous week (7,892MT). The flow was mostly Uganda to Kenya, Uganda exported to Kenya (10,043MT), to Rwanda (510MT), and to Tanzania (80MT). Tanzania exported to Kenya (270MT), probably maize exports into Kenya from Zambia and other Southern Africa countries. Rwanda exported to DRC (398MT), a 510% increase from the previous week (78MT). DRC exported to Uganda (2.53MT). Maize wholesale prices were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh81($0.78)/kg, and Ngozi, Ksh72($0.69)/kg. The lowest prices were in Tanzania, Mbeya Ksh21($0.20)/kg and Uganda, Kampala Ksh25($0.24)/kg. Kenya reported the following wholesale prices Kisumu, Ksh60($0.58)/kg, Nairobi, Ksh50($0.48)/kg, and Eldoret Ksh40($0.38)/kg. The maize prices are beginning to show a decline as maize harvest have begun in certain parts of Kenya. Busia market reported a wholesale price of Ksh29($0.28)/kg.
Beans (6,733MT) was the 2nd highest traded commodity in the week, a 189% increase from the previous week (3,562MT). Uganda total beans export was (6,541MT), consisting of exports to Kenya (6,085MT), and to DRC (456MT). Rwanda exported to Uganda (191MT). Tanzania exported to Kenya (2MT). Beans wholesale price were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh156($1.5)/kg, Kenya, Makueni and Machakos Ksh90($0.87)/kg, and Kisumu Ksh80($0.77)/kg. The prices were lowest in Rwanda, Mulindi, Ksh47($0.45)/kg. Yellow Beans (50MT) was traded, up from the previous week (10MT). The trade was Uganda exports to Rwanda (40MT), and to Tanzania (10MT). Yellow beans wholesale prices were highest in Kenya, Machakos Ksh110($1.06)/kg, and Makueni and Nairobi Ksh100($0.96)/kg. The prices were lowest in Tanzania, Mbeya Ksh56($0.54)/kg. Red Beans (200MT) were traded during the week, an increase from (70MT) the previous week. The trade was Tanzania exports to Uganda (200MT). Red beans wholesale prices were highest in Kenya, Machakos and Makueni Ksh100($0.96)/kg. The prices were lowest in Rwanda, Ruhuha Ksh49($0.47)/kg. Rwanda exported Mixed Beans (106MT) to Uganda. Mixed beans wholesale prices were highest in Kenya, Nairobi, Ksh90($0.96)/kg, and Tanzania, Dar Ksh74($0.71)/kg. The prices were lowest in Uganda, Kabale Ksh49($0.47)/kg and Rwanda, Kamemba Ksh46($0.44)/kg. Uganda, Busia sold mixed beans at Ksh51($0.49)/kg.
Rice (1,835MT) was traded, an increase from the previous week’s (1,024MT). The flow was from Tanzania to Rwanda (876MT), to Uganda (484MT), and to Kenya (4MT). Rwanda exported to DRC (453MT) a 167% increase from the previous week (272MT), DRC exported (14MT) to Uganda, and Kenya exported to Tanzania (3MT). Rice wholesale prices were highest in Kenya, Mombasa Ksh180($1.73)/kg, Nairobi Ksh174($1.67)/kg, and Eldoret Ksh152($1.46)/kg. There are reports of a looming shortage of rice in Kenya, the rice prices seem to be increasing in the Nairobi and Mombasa markets. Rice prices were lowest in Tanzania, Iringa Ksh74($0.71)/kg. Sorghum (1,757MT) was traded, a 266% increase from the previous week (661MT). The trade flow was mostly Uganda exports to Kenya (413MT), and to Rwanda (224MT). Tanzania exported to Uganda (120MT), a 500% increase from the previous week (24MT). Sorghum wholesale prices were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh81($0.78)/kg, Kenya, Nairobi Ksh80($0.77)/kg, and lowest in Uganda, Tororo Ksh24($0.23)/kg and Gulu Ksh29($0.28)/kg. Wheat (952MT) was traded during the week, a 145% increase from the previous week (657MT). The trade flow was from Kenya to Rwanda (666MT), and from Rwanda to DRC(286MT). Wheat prices were highest in Burundi, Gitega Ksh102($0.98)/kg, and lowest in Tanzania, Arusha, Ksh37($0.36)/kg.
Millet (989MT) was traded, a 187% increase from the previous week (527MT). The trade was Uganda exports to Kenya (984MT) and to Rwanda (0.4MT). Tanzania exported to Kenya (4MT). Millet wholesale price were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh100($0.96)/kg, Kenya, Kisumu Ksh120($1.15)/kg and lowest in Uganda, Tororo Ksh40($0.38)/kg. Nairobi reported a wholesale price is Ksh80($0.77)/kg. Groundnuts/Peanuts (564MT) was traded in the week, in comparison to the previous week (454MT). The trade flow was Tanzania’s exports to Uganda (322MT) and to Kenya (100MT). Uganda exported to Rwanda (140MT) and Rwanda exported to DRC (2.4MT). The wholesale prices of groundnuts were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh177($1.7)/kg, Kenya, Nairobi Ksh149($1.43)/kg, and Eldoret Ksh145($1.39)/kg. The wholesale prices were lowest in Tanzania, Mbeya Ksh69($0.66)/kg. Dried Green Peas/Mijii/Pisum Sativum (232MT) was traded, Uganda exported to Rwanda (141MT), and Tanzania exported to Uganda (91MT). Peas prices were highest in Burundi, Bujumbura Ksh162($1.56)/kg, and lowest in Uganda Mbale, Ksh57($0.55)/kg.
Cowpeas (28MT) was exported from Tanzania to Kenya, this was a new pattern in the trade flow, signalling new harvest from Tanzania and other Southern Africa countries. Prices were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh150($1.44)/kg, Uganda, Masindi Ksh138($1.33)/kg, Kenya, Eldoret Ksh105($1.01)/kg. The prices were lowest in Uganda, Gulu Ksh37($0.36)/kg, and Tanzania, Mbeya Ksh53($0.51)/kg. Green grams continue to be harvested in various parts of Kenya, while this is good news, it is worth noting that there will be a significant reduction in the country’s overall production, as many areas where the crop is grown continue to report complete lack of harvest. This will have a direct effect on the Indian market where a lot of Kenya’s green grams are exported. Green grams wholesale prices were highest in South Sudan, Juba Ksh147($1.41)/kg, Kenya, Eldoret Ksh135($1.3)/kg, and Nakuru Ksh115($1.11)/kg. The lowest reported wholesale prices were in Tanzania, Arusha Ksh37($0.36)/kg, Uganda, Gulu Ksh43($0.41)/kg, and Lira Ksh46($0.44)/kg. The Kenya wholesale prices were Makueni Ksh100($0.96)/kg, Mombasa Ksh80($0.77)/kg, and Nairobi Ksh109($1.05)/kg, which means smallholder farmers will have a higher incentive to sell green grams within the local markets over the export market.
Tanzania exported the following animal feeds inputs into Kenya, Sunflower Seed Cake (1,029MT), Sunflower Seed Meal (510MT), and Maize Bran (25MT). Maize Bran was selling at Ksh17($0.16)/kg in Uganda, Mbale. There was no recorded Soya Beans trade during the week, however wholesale prices were highest in Kenya, Eldoret Ksh100($0.96)/kg, and lowest in Uganda, Lira Ksh31($0.30)/kg.
Exchange Rate used US$1=Ksh103.75/-
Author; Fostina Mani, Betta Grains. Fostina.Mani@bettagrains.com, Twitter: @FostinaMani.
Acknowledgment: The data used for the analysis has been obtained from; IAM, Government of Kenya, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries, Government of Tanzania, Ministry of Trade and Industry, EAGC, RATIN, Farm Gain Uganda, FEWS NET, & Betta Grains.
Disclaimer. Due to unavailable of data on various border points on formal cross-border trade flows and volumes in the public arena. The volumes indicated above are mostly from the informal cross-border data that is available to the public. The purpose of the analysis, is simply to provide an indication of the East Africa Regional Trade flow to SMEs, Smallholder Farmers, and Other Stakeholders in a manner and language that is applicable, simple, and makes sense. Those desiring to obtain actual trade volumes are advised to contact various internationally funded government projects that have been mandated to provide the regional trade data for public good.
