Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has explained why the country is forced to export rice and at the same time import tonnes of it.

Speaking in Malindi town, Kilifi County, the CS said Kenya produces quality rice that fetches more money in the international market than in the domestic market hence the need to export and import at lower prices.

He added that some countries loved Kenyan rice especially the pishori type and that Kenya had no reason not to sell to them at good prices despite a shortage in local production.

Currently, the government has announced an intent to import at least 490,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice. 

Meanwhile, the country’s annual demand stands at 1.3 million metric tonnes against local production of 20 percent leaving a deficit of 1 million metric tonnes.