FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.37
| Area: | 570 000 sq km |
| Climate: | North-east is semi-arid to arid; mountainous central and south-western areas have two rainy seasons: March-May and November-December. |
| Population: | 32.52 million (2003 estimate), GNP per caput US$340 (2001) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; regular importer and occasional exporter of grain. |
| Logistics: | Good port (Mombasa) and extensive rail and road network. Gateway to Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | October/September; Lean season: June-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 56 percent |
The current maize harvest in major producing provinces has improved the overall food supply situation. The current decline in food prices in key harvesting areas and nearby markets is especially beneficial to the previously drought affected marginal agricultural households. However, early estimates of the long rains maize crop indicate an output of about 1.89 million tonnes compared to 2.32 million tonnes in 2001.
Favourable rainfall in several previously drought-affected pastoral areas improved overall food supply prospects. However, continued food security concerns are reported in the districts of Mandera, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, West Pokot and Baringo.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 212 | 52 | 2 484 | 2 748 |
| Previous five years average imports | 581 | 100 | 760 | 1 441 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | 250 | 36 | 2 734 | 3 020 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 200 | 55 | 2 734 | 2 989 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | 200 | 36 | 2 734 | 2 970 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 50 | - | - | 50 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 850 | 176 | 3 534 | 4 560 |
| Food use | 820 | 156 | 3 163 | 4 139 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| Non-food use | 30 | 20 | 371 | 421 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 600 | 140 | 800 | 1 540 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 500 | 140 | 600 | 1 240 |
| Food aid needs | 100 | - | 200 | 300 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 44 | - | 2 | 46 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 30 | 30 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 30 | 30 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 25 | 5 | 97 | 127 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 109 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 107 |