Maize bran, sharps and residues market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize bran, sharps and residues in Kenya experienced a multi-year decline from 205 thousand tons in 2018 to 167 thousand tons in 2022. This contraction occurred against a backdrop of persistent challenges in primary maize production, notably the shrinking of agricultural land due to urbanization and subdivision, which limited the raw material supply for milling. Government initiatives, such as input subsidies for seeds and fertilizers and the promotion of biological pest control, were ongoing efforts to support maize yields but were insufficient to reverse the overall downtrend.

A significant shift began in 2022 when the Kenya Bureau of Standards banned 17 maize flour brands and suspended the licenses of five millers over quality standards, directly affecting processing activity. This regulatory enforcement coincided with a major 38.8% increase in national maize production. The market volume subsequently recovered to 172 thousand tons in 2023, driven by this improved harvest and supported by evolving industry trends, including a consumer preference shift towards fortified maize flour products, as outlined in the government's Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya ranked 23rd globally in the production of maize bran, sharps, and residues.

Top producers of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Kenya's production of maize bran, sharps, and residues declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 177.4 thousand tonnes, a moderate decrease of 7.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 200.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a staggering 1 341-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues amounted to just 1 tonne, but this represented an extraordinary increase of 17 768.6% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Jordan dominated Kenya's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues in kind, accounting for 99.4% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed notable volatility over this timeframe. Export values varied dramatically, with a 117-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, Kenya's export volume of maize bran, sharps, and residues reached 3 thousand US dollars, surging by 11 643.5% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues in value terms were highly concentrated, with Jordan making up 98.2% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Import levels were marked by considerable fluctuations during the period. Volumes dropped to their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 3.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Kenya imported 9 238 tonnes of maize bran, sharps, and residues, down by 25.5% from the previous year. The smallest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 015 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 68.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 106.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over the 2017–2020 period, Tanzania was the primary source for Kenya's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues in kind, representing 72.6% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed years. Import values showed an 8.1-fold variation, with the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2017. In 2020, Kenya's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues totaled 924 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 28.8% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 280 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 87.7%. Conversely, 2019 posted the highest increase of 363.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Uganda accounted for the majority of Kenya's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues in value terms, with other markets playing a less significant role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020