Kenya allows duty-free import of 5 lakh tonnes of white rice till November 30

04-Jun-2024 03:11 PM

Nairobi. African country- Kenya's Finance Ministry has allowed duty-free import of rice for the next six months to increase supply and availability in the domestic sector and to curb the rise in prices.

A circular issued by the ministry said that from June 1 to November 30, 2024, 5 lakh tonnes of grade 1 milled white rice can be imported into the country, on which no customs duty will be levied.

It is worth mentioning that earlier a hefty customs duty of 75 per cent or $345 (44,951 shillings) per tonne was applicable on rice imports in Kenya and the same duty rate will be applicable on importing rice in excess of this fixed quota of 5 lakh tonnes.

Another notification issued by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock Development said that in the light of a gazette notification of the year 2023, 34,614 tonnes of grade milled white rice was to be imported, but due to transportation problems, its import was possible in the year 2024.

This rice has reached Mombasa port and it has also been verified. This imported rice has been declared duty free and the port authority has been informed in this matter that customs duty should not be imposed on 34,614 tonnes of imported rice.

It is worth noting that due to adverse weather, paddy-rice production in Kenya has been badly affected this year. Weather conditions have remained unfavorable in its most prominent producing area since the year 2022.

There was a severe drought in the year 2022 due to which the water level went down to a very low level. The situation there was not good even in the year 2023.

Most of the rice in Kenya is imported from Asia, while it is also imported in small quantities from Tanzania. Kenya produces an average of 1.00-1.30 lakh tonnes of rice per year and about 1 million tonnes is used domestically.