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Sorghum and finger millet flour processing in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, Socioeconomics Discussion Paper series 32

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Title Sorghum and finger millet flour processing in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, Socioeconomics Discussion Paper series 32
 
Creator Schipmann-Schwarze, C
Orr, A
Mulinge, W
Mafuru, J
 
Subject Millets
Sorghum
 
Description We investigated the processing of sorghum and finger millet flour in Tanzania, Kenya, and
Uganda. Fifty-three companies processing these crops were interviewed in 2011-2012. Except
for Kenya, the processing sector was dominated by small- and medium-scale companies with 8-
10 employees and an annual demand of below 50 t per year. Annual demand was highest for
finger millet in Kenya (600+ t). Most firms operated below capacity because of demand
constraints, inconsistent supply of raw material, and fluctuating prices for grain. Procurement of
grain was primarily through traders operating without formal contracts. Two-thirds of processors
in Kenya and one-third of processors in Tanzania and Uganda had experience of sourcing
directly from farmers; however, because of problems enforcing contracts and with transport,
they preferred to buy from traders. The main buyers of flour from these processors were urban
supermarkets and small retail shops. Most processors did not have formal contracts with buyers
except in Uganda. Although 62 % of processors in Tanzania claimed they were satisfied with
the quality of grain they purchased, only a minority of firms in Kenya (42 %) and Uganda (31%)
were satisfied with grain quality. The most important quality requirements were cleanliness and
grain colour (red or white). Over 70 % of processors were willing to pay a price premium for
higher quality grain. Seasonal price fluctuations ranged from 30-48 % in Tanzania and Kenya
but averaged only 18 % for finger millet in Uganda. Buying prices for grain in the high season
ranged from 0.30 to 0.65 USD/kg for finger millet and from 0.30 to 0.42 USD/kg for sorghum.
Wholesale prices for pure flour ranged from 1-1.13 USD/kg for both sorghum and millets, with
slightly higher prices for lishe flour (1.30 USD/kg) and uji flour (1.31 USD/kg). The majority of
companies reported increased demand for sorghum and millet flour in the past five years, and
expected demand to grow in the future, particularly for finger millet flour.
 
Publisher ICRISAT, Nairobi
 
Date 2015
 
Type Socioeconomics Discussion Paper Series
NonPeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
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Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/8645/1/ISEDPS_32.pdf
Schipmann-Schwarze, C and Orr, A and Mulinge, W and Mafuru, J (2015) Sorghum and finger millet flour processing in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, Socioeconomics Discussion Paper series 32. [Socioeconomics Discussion Paper Series]