Kenya sees wheat production almost tripling

Kenya expects its 2012 wheat output to almost triple compared with the previous year buoyed by increased planting and favourable weather forecasts, the Agriculture ministry said on Wednesday. It expected to harvest 6.3 million 90-kg bags of wheat in 2012 up from the 2.2 million realised last year when prolonged drought slashed production in its main crop season.
Kenya is a net importer of wheat, with consumption of about 900,000 tonnes per year. In past years annual production has stood at an average of 350,000 tonnes, implying it usually imports close to two-thirds of its requirements. It mainly imports wheat from Egypt and Mauritius through the trade bloc the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
The ministry said the overall food situation in east Africa's largest economy was likely to remain stable over the next six month months as harvesting of crops grown during the short rains season and imports of key staples continue. Kenya said it expected a surplus of 39,218 90-kg bags of maize by August, due to improved harvests from its long and short rainy seasons and a steady flow of free imports.
The ministry said its maize stocks as of February 29 stood at 18.94 million bags having dropped from 19 million at the end of January due to local consumption, with the state-run National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) holding 2.3 million bags. The east Africa nation said it planned to import 1.35 million 90-kg bags of maize from regional and international markets between March and August 31 to bolster supplies.