By George Munene
According to a Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) September 2022 agriculture sector survey 62 per cent of wholesale and retail traders, and farmers expect retail prices of agricultural commodities to remain the same or decline in October 2022.
Most farmers also expect the level of output and farming acreage for key food items to increase during the next harvest.This owes to introduction of low-cost government subsidised fertilizer in the market and favourable weather conditions.
However, 38 percent of respondents expect the prices of agricultural commodities to increase largely reflecting the impact of the recent 15 per cent increase in fuel prices and 15.7 per cent increase in the price of electricity.
Related News: 60% of farmers predict increased harvest owing to low-cost fertiliser–CBK Report
Related News: Staple food prices to remain high through 2022
The analysis of wholesale prices in different regions revealed a decline in the prices of kales, cabbages, spinach, tomatoes, dry maize, green maize, and milk in September 2022 as compared to July and June 2022. 
This was on account of the improved weather conditions that supported the vegetable season.
However, the price of onions, potatoes, beans, wheat, and eggs remained elevated due low production.
Related News: Steep egg prices to persist until October on maize & soya shortage
The Survey was conducted between September 15 and 16, 2022 drew respondents from wholesale traders, retail markets, and farms in major towns across the country. This included: Nairobi, Nairobi Metropolitan area, Naivasha, Gilgil, Nakuru, Narok, Kisumu, Mombasa, Kisii, Eldoret, Meru and Nyeri.
It coverd 50 commodities including vegetables (kales, cabbages, spinach), non-vegetables (tomatoes, onions, potatoes), grains (dry maize, green maize, beans, wheat) and animal products (beef, eggs and milk).