| Area: | 569 000 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: | 27.34 million (1995 estimate), GNP per caput U.S.$ 270 (1993) |
| 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: | July/June |
| Lean season: | June-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 56 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The output of the main maize crop is provisionally estimated at 2.3 million tons, 12 percent below the exceptional harvest of the previous year, although still above normal. Production of wheat is estimated at 330 000 tons, some 19 percent higher than last year and above normal.
The overall food supply situation remains stable and prices of maize have fallen sharply in recent months. The Government has announced plans for the export of 300 000 tons to generate cash to buy the new crop. However, in order to meet national food consumption needs, the country may have to import limited quantities of maize later in the year. Imports of wheat in marketing year 1995/96 (July/June) are expected to decline to some 300 000 tons
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 241 | 33 | 2 587 | 2 861 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 311 | 57 | 312 | 680 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 74 | - | - | 74 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | 380 | 75 | 3 368 | 3 823 |
| 1995 Production | 330 | 35 | 2 996 | 3 361 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 50 | 40 | 372 | 462 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 680 | 150 | 3 568 | 4 398 |
| Food use | 648 | 148 | 2 880 | 3 676 |
| of which: Local purchase requirements | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| Non-food use | 32 | 2 | 418 | 452 |
| Exports | - | - | 270 | 270 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 300 | 75 | 200 | 575 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 290 | 75 | 200 | 565 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | - | - | 10 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 22 | - | 19 | 41 |
| of which: Delivered | 12 | - | 11 | 23 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 23 | 5 | 102 | 130 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 117 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 85 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 14 | |||