Kenya's Wheat Farmers Switch to Barley Amid Rising Demand

Kenyan farmers are increasingly shifting from wheat to barley production due to rising demand from breweries in Uganda and Tanzania, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. The high cost of production and stiff competition with imported wheat have led to this change.

The USDA reports that Kenyan farmers are attracted to barley as it is a more lucrative crop than wheat. Barley is used extensively by breweries in East Africa, creating a strong market for the crop.

This trend has the potential to create a shortage of wheat in Kenya's domestic market, which may have far-reaching implications for food security and prices.