Expectations of price changes for select food items in the core basket recorded notable upward shifts between August and September 2026, according to findings from the Agriculture Sector Survey released by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
Expectations for sifted maize flour prices rose from 19 per cent in August to 40 per cent in September. Similarly, expectations for fortified maize flour prices increased from 31 per cent in August to 47 per cent in September.
Wheat flour also recorded higher price expectations, with white wheat flour moving from 29 per cent to 48 per cent and brown wheat flour climbing from 31 per cent to 53 per cent over the same period.
Fresh packeted cow milk showed the most dramatic surge in price change expectations, jumping from 3 per cent in August 2026 to 74 per cent in September 2026.
Rice varieties also experienced increased price change expectations across the board. Aromatic unbroken rice (Pishori/Basmati etc.) rose from 21 per cent to 29 per cent, non-aromatic unbroken white rice grew from 24 per cent to 30 per cent, broken white rice (aromatic or non-aromatic) moved from 8 per cent to 16 per cent, and brown rice increased from 11 per cent to 18 per cent.
Both white bread and brown bread saw price expectations increase from 3 per cent in August to 9 per cent in September. Sugar expectations rose from 15 per cent to 28 per cent, while cooking oil (salad) moved up from 20 per cent to 26 per cent.
Cooking fat was the only item to register a slight decline, moving from 19 per cent in August to 18 per cent in September.
