The Cereal Millers Association (CMA) has denied media reports that its members are the primary source of wheat farmers' woes.
In a statement on Thursday, CMA refuted the notion that they prioritised wheat imports, leaving local farmers stranded with their produce.
"The claims that millers prioritise imports over local wheat are unfounded and misleading," CMA's statement read. "Data clearly shows that millers have purchased nearly all available local wheat, with imports being essential to bridge the country’s wheat deficit.
An infographic from CMA obtained by Kenyans.co.ke suggested that over the past seven years, locally grown wheat constituted an average of 6.05 per cent of the total consumption. This figure, according to the millers, increased to 7 per cent after a bumper year of harvest.
The data also suggests that from July 2024 to February 2025, 86 per cent of the annual projected local harvest had already been purchased.
In their statement, the CMA also issued recommendations to the government on how to prevent market inefficiencies. They strongly believe. For one, CMA wants the government to align wheat prices with production costs.
"Output prices should be driven by market forces to reflect supply and demand dynamics, ensuring efficiency and sustainability. This approach will enhance food security and support the long-term viability of wheat production," the millers added.
Further, the millers emphasised the need for improved data management and coordination in the wheat sector to inform better policy decisions.
Their statement came just days after the government, through Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, announced that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) was set to commence the collection of 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers across the country.
Farmers were also instructed to deliver their wheat to NCPB warehouses nationwide, effective March 4, 2025.
The move would affect millers since they are expected to collect wheat from the NCPB and farmers are paid within 14 to 21 days.
While suggesting that some of the recent decisions on wheat in the country were misinformed, CMA urged policymakers and all stakeholders to 'base discussions on accurate data'.
"We remain open to engagement and collaboration in finding long-term solutions that will strengthen Kenya’s wheat sector and improve local production," they said.
