Milk prices have continued to rise in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya as a shortage of fresh milk leaves retailers, hotels and milk ATM operators struggling to maintain supplies.
A spot check in several areas of Nairobi found a 500ml packet of milk selling for as much as Ksh90, with some outlets reporting further increases in the price of fresh milk.
In Pipeline, fresh milk at one hotel outlet was selling at Ksh110 per litre, up from Ksh60 previously, according to a price notice displayed by the establishment.
The increase has affected households that depend on fresh milk, as well as businesses that use large quantities of the commodity.
In Roysambu, a 500ml packet was retailing at Ksh90, while consumers in Lower Kabete were paying a similar price.
The same quantity was also selling at about Ksh90 in Utawala and parts of Embakasi, including Pipeline.
Milk supplies fall
Milk ATM operators have been among those affected by the shortage, with some reporting a major drop in the amount of milk they receive each day.
One operator said supplies had fallen from about 2,000 litres a day to only 500 litres.
Hotels and restaurants are also feeling the pressure as deliveries become less frequent and prices continue to rise.
A hotel owner in Pipeline said the business was previously receiving around 2,000 litres of milk daily but was now getting only about 500 litres.
The reduced supply has forced some businesses to cut their milk purchases, while higher prices have also increased the cost of products such as tea and other milk-based items.
Milk ATM operators are facing additional costs from transport and fuel as they try to maintain regular deliveries.
For some businesses, the higher cost of buying and transporting milk has left them with little choice but to increase their retail prices.
Prices rise outside Nairobi
The price increases have also been reported in other parts of the country.
In Meru, a 500ml packet was selling at about Ksh75, up from around Ksh57.
In Kiambu, the same quantity was going for about Ksh80, compared to approximately Ksh52 previously.
Some supermarkets and dairy outlets have also reported reduced deliveries, with certain popular milk brands missing from shelves.
The shortage has been linked to dry weather, high animal feed costs and reduced milk production in some of the country’s main dairy-producing areas.
Dairy farmers in Nyandarua have also criticised the government over what they say is a failure to honour promises made to support them as production costs continue to rise.
The Kenya Dairy Board has described the shortage as temporary and seasonal, saying milk supplies are expected to improve as weather conditions change.