Kenyan poultry farmers in trouble

According to Ms Wairimu Kariuki, chairlady of the Kenya Poultry Farmers Association, a crisis will happen anytime in Kenyan poultry industry due to exorbitant prices of feeds as farmers may exit from the poultry business.

The price hike has hardly hit commercial farmers growing exotic layers and broiler breeds who rely heavily on manufactured feed.

Manufacturers of poultry feed are urging the government to allow import of raw materials and to release part of the strategic grain reserve for animal feeds. The government has appointed four firms--Mombasa Maize Millers, Corn Products Corporation, Pembe Flour and Nouis Pryefus, an international commodities dealer-- to import a million bags of yellow maize.

Trade players believe imports will help ease pressure on the high prices of poultry feeds as they can still sustain for three months. Players are however hopeful that rains within three months will place adequate supply of raw materials and push down the prices of all feeds.