US steps up pressure on Kenya to level playing field on maize imports
The U.S. has urged Kenya to ease steep tariffs and tough regulations on maize imports, calling the 50% duty on U.S. corn unfair. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the restrictions block American exports, despite Kenya’s maize feed market being worth Sh6.47 billion. Kenya waives the duty occasionally to stabilize prices but maintains it outside EAC trade.
The US government has increased pressure on Kenya to level the playing field for its maize exports, citing trade practices such as steep taxes and cumbersome regulations.
The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Monday cited Kenya’s maize import market conditions among a list of unfair trade practices faced by American exporters globally.
In his post on the social media platform ‘X’, he said that, Kenya imposes a 50% tariff on imports of US corn, and imposes burdensome regulatory requirements, effectively blocking US exports of corn. Kenya’s market for feed corn is currently estimated at Sh6.47 billion, with a potential to grow by 30% by 2027.
Adding that, securing market access for American farmers will ensure they can compete on a level playing field.
Kenya maintains a steep ad-valorem import duty of 50% for maize from outside the East African Community(EAC), in line with the bloc’s Common External Tariff, while maize imported from EAC countries has duty-free access.
The CET tariff on maize imports is however temporarily waived in instances where the government seeks to stabilize domestic prices of the commodity.
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Source : ntv Kenya
