Meat sector hit by drought, feed shortages

Recurring drought, severe feed shortages and livestock diseases are putting Kenya’s meat value chain under pressure.

According to stakeholders in the meat sector, the crisis could disrupt the supply of meat to consumers.

The De-Risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) project estimates that about 2.5 million livestock were lost between 2020 and 2022 due to drought and foot-and-mouth disease. In addition, the arid and semi-arid lands faced a 60 per cent feed deficit during the period.

At the fifth Kenya Meat Expo, DRIVE Country Relationship Manager Michael Mbaka explained that the losses have rippled through the meat industry, contributing to reduced livestock supply and an estimated 30 per cent loss of meat after harvest.

“The losses are affecting livestock keepers but are creating significant risks across the entire meat value chain with producers, traders and other players facing mounting financial pressure,” Mr Mbaka explained.