Local millers and traders will from February next year import 900,000 tonnes of white maize and 600,000 tonnes of milled rice duty-free.
This is after the government announced an import duty waiver up to August next year in an effort to ensure the country has adequate stocks to last until the next harvest season in July.
The Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department for Crop Development Kello Harsama through a notice dated Wednesday, December 14, said the duty waiver shall apply to white maize and milled rice imported into the country by August 6, 2023.
“…an Import Duty Waiver will be granted for millers and traders to import a total of 900,000 metric tons of white maize grain and 600,000 metric tons of milled rice from February 2023 to August 2023 to enable the Country to have adequate stocks to last until the next harvest from July- August 2023,” said PS Harsama.
The imported white maize shall be required to have a moisture content not exceeding 13.5% , Aflatoxin levels shall not exceed ten parts per billion (ppb) and it shall be accompanied by a certificate of conformity issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
On the other hand, the PS said milled rice shall be grade 1 which is dried mature grains of edible Oryza species; be clean, wholesome and uniform in size, colour and shape; as well as be safe and suitable for human consumption.
“It shall be free from abnormal flavours, musty, sour or other undesirable odour, obnoxious smell and discolouration; shall be free from micro-organisms and substances originating from micro-organisms, fungi or other poisonous or deleterious substances in amounts that may constitute a hazard to human health,” he said.
Harsama directed all millers and traders interested to submit their details for registration to the Head/Supply Chain Management Services, 4th floor, Kilimo House within 15 days.
