Kenya’s meat export industry has recorded a remarkable 39 percent growth over the past year, driven by surging demand from Gulf nations including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
The country’s meat export earnings rose from Sh11.5 billion in 2022 to Sh18.7 billion in 2024, according to data from the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
AU-IBAR consultant Said Ali attributed the growth to Kenya’s successful pitch of local meat products to Middle Eastern markets, noting that the country is now shifting focus to Asia’s economic giants, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia — in a bid to further expand export destinations.
Ali, who spoke during a livestock stakeholders’ meeting in Naivasha, urged for investment in modern slaughterhouses, pointing out that only seven out of more than 1,000 existing facilities currently meet global export standards.
He also called for urgent action to address challenges affecting livestock productivity, including shortage of quality feeds and poor animal genetics.
“The sector’s potential remains largely untapped. To sustain this export momentum, Kenya must modernize its processing facilities and improve the quality of livestock breeds,” Ali said.
The livestock industry remains a key pillar of the economy, contributing 12 per cent to the national GDP and 40 per cent to the agricultural sector, according to AU-IBAR data.
National Livestock Development and Promotion Service CEO Richard Kyuma revealed that Kenya currently has an estimated 22 million heads of cattle and 58 million goats and sheep.
He said the government is developing new regulations aimed at unlocking the sector’s full potential by promoting increased production, quality assurance, and access to consistent markets.
Meanwhile, Ranch Expert CEO Maria Mbeneka noted that Kenya is yet to access the lucrative European Union market, as the country has not been declared free of animal diseases, a key requirement for EU export approval.
“There is a need for proper health systems, animal weight tracking, and high-quality feeds and supplements. These are critical in meeting international market standards,” Mbeneka said.
With growing interest from Gulf and Asian markets, experts say Kenya’s meat export sector could soon become one of the leading foreign exchange earners, if the country accelerates modernization and meets stringent global trade standards.
