Kenya Has Excess Poultry Supply, Government Urged To Suspend Importations

Kenya is currently having an excess supply of poultry and local farmers want the Government to temporarily suspend importations until the surplus is reduced.

According to the Federation of Kenya Poultry Farmers (FKPF), local farmers are forced to sell poultry products at low prices since there is a surplus stating that it is high time for the Government to intervene and save the situation.

Earlier, directives by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kenya Poultry Breeders Association urged local farmers to increase their fresh farm produce to ensure enough supply during the Covid-19 pandemic, but Farmers say the supply is currently higher than the demand.

“Local production has been more than market demand since May 2020, due to the call by the President Uhuru Kenyatta for farmers to increase production during Covid-19,” FKPF said in a letter addressed to Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), and Department of Livestock Production (DLP).

“In order to preserve the remaining production potential for 2020, the importation of poultry meat and poultry products must cease as soon as possible so that the industry, especially those at the breeder stage of the value chain, can hold on until times are less volatile,” FKPF said.

Kenya currently has enough supply of poultry to help last to the better part of 2021 with its Chicken inventory showing an excess of 253 days. FKFP calls on Kenya to consume more chicken products to reduce the excess supply.

“I urge Kenyans to consume more chicken than pork supply of which is currently on a downtrend.”

The lobby Group wants Kenya to stop the importation of processed poultry products from East African Countries and give focus to the local products which will also support local farmers.

FKFP revealed that the same situation of oversupply of poultry products is also being witnessed in Europe during the Covid-19 pandemic.