Kenya's Wheat Flour Prices Soar as Global Costs Bite

Wheat flour prices are skyrocketing in Kenyan supermarkets, leaving many households struggling to make ends meet. This essential ingredient is used to make a variety of staples like bread, chapati, and mandazi.

A spot check across major supermarket chains reveals that prices vary depending on the brand, pack size, and location. Even with promotions, shoppers are paying significantly more than they were last year, due to rising production and import costs.

Millers blame the increase in costs for sourcing, milling, and transporting wheat products. As a result, bread, chapati, mandazi, and other wheat-based foods sold by bakeries, restaurants, and roadside vendors have also seen price hikes.

Market watchers predict that prices will continue to rise unless global wheat prices ease off, the Kenyan shilling strengthens against the dollar, or transport and energy costs decrease. The Central Bank of Kenya's surveys suggest that processed foods, including wheat flour, could become even pricier due to lingering supply chain issues.