List of Commodities Expected to See Price Hikes
The prices of several commodities in Kenya, especially food items, are expected to rise starting in June 2025, according to a new survey by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
In its latest Agriculture Sector Survey released on Tuesday, June 17, the CBK revealed that a large number of people surveyed expect significant increases in the prices of important cereal products and certain vegetables from June onwards.
The report further noted that a majority of those interviewed also believe that the cost of sugar and cooking oil will shoot up this month.
This rise is mostly being linked to current trends in global markets, where the prices of these particular products have already gone up.
“The balance of opinion (BOO) regarding future price changes shows that the costs of key cereal products and select vegetables are projected to increase in June 2025 due to seasonal influences,” part of the CBK’s report stated.
“The people who took part in the survey believe that maize-based items and related products will cost slightly more in June 2025 compared to May 2025. Additionally, they foresee a rise in the prices of sugar, cooking fat, and cooking oil,” the report added.
While the general outlook for food prices points to an upward trend, the survey did note that some vegetables might actually become cheaper. According to the CBK, the prices of kale (sukuma wiki), traditional vegetables, cabbage, and spinach are likely to drop in the coming weeks.
The expected fall in the prices of these vegetables is largely attributed to the good rains experienced across many parts of the country between March and May 2025. These favorable weather conditions have boosted the supply of vegetables, which could lead to lower market prices.
The Central Bank also mentioned that fewer people now think tomato prices will go up. In fact, the number of respondents who anticipated a rise in tomato prices dropped in May, compared to those who held the same view during the April 2025 survey.
In addition to commodity prices, the survey looked at how people feel about inflation in the near future. Most respondents believe that the country’s inflation rate will either remain the same or decline in the next month.
This is mainly due to the positive rainfall patterns observed from March to May 2025, which have helped support agricultural production.
Other factors expected to help reduce inflation include a stable exchange rate, with many expecting the Kenyan shilling to maintain its strength against the US dollar.
Beyond inflation and food prices, the survey also gathered views on how Kenyans feel about the country’s economic outlook.
A strong majority—67 percent of those surveyed—expressed confidence that Kenya’s overall economic performance will improve over the next three months.
This shows continued optimism among the public regarding the nation’s economic growth and recovery.
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