July 13, 2010
Kenya secures new beef and livestock markets
Kenya has secured new beef and livestock markets in Libya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malaysia, opening a new income stream for pastoralists hard hit by recurrent drought and livestock diseases.
The Kenya Livestock Marketing Council (KLMC) said the new markets present a major opportunity for both pastoralists and ranchers.
Exporters are buying from pastoralists to meet rising demand, which ranchers are unable to meet. "We have new markets in Libya, DRC and Malaysia and are waiting to confirm orders from those countries," said KLMC chairman Abass Mohammed.
Livestock Development Minister Mohammed Kuti earlier announced Iran's intention to venture into local livestock products processing for purpose of serving the export market.
Kenya recently secured an export deal to Egypt, where 10 tonnes of beef are exported every week. The country is also exporting up to eight tonnes of mutton to Qatar and Dubai weekly.
According to statics provided by KLMC, Kenya exported 4,950 cattle to Mauritius between March and July. The growing market has already raised the price of livestock for export. The farm gate price of cattle for export has increased today as compared from mid last year.
Lack of adequate slaughterhouses that meet international standards and the absence disease free zones could, however, slow the growth of exports for livestock and processed beef.
Although the Livestock Development ministry was allocated funds to finance construction of modern slaughterhouses for export beef, players in the industry said the amount given is too little.
"What the industry has decided is that the money should be used to construct one or two slaughterhouses that meet international standards and make additions when more funds are available," said Mr Mohammed.
In this year's budget, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta also gave funds to go towards an electronic tagging project in Northern Kenya that will help in the creation of disease free zones and livestock identification.
