In this fourth article in the series, Sebastiane Ebatamehi from The African Exponent provides an in-depth overview of Kenya, currently the 7th largest poultry producer in Africa as of 2025.
Kenya’s Rise in Poultry Production
Kenya has established itself as a significant contender in poultry meat preparations and egg production. According to IndexBox’s 2024 market report, the country produced approximately 182,000 metric tons (mt) of poultry meat preparations in 2024, securing a spot among the top three producers alongside Egypt and South Africa.
Growth in Broiler and Egg Production
Data related to raw poultry meat, particularly broilers, reflects a positive trend, with Kenya producing around 110,000 mt in 2022, marking a 23.5% increase from the previous year. Analysts anticipate gradual growth, predicting an increase to approximately 148,000 mt by 2028 due to advancements in infrastructure, breed improvements, and processing capacity.
Furthermore, egg production remains a robust pillar of the poultry sector, with Kenya producing about 1.8 billion eggs annually as of 2023, an increase from around 1.6 billion in 2019.
Challenges: Rising Feed Prices
Despite this growth, the poultry sector is facing significant challenges. Over the past four years, feed prices have surged by at least 37%, causing the cost of poultry feed to nearly double compared to countries such as South Africa and Brazil. Currently, a 90-kilogram bag of maize, a crucial ingredient in feed, costs approximately KES 4,800 (around €32 or $37), with projections indicating it could rise to KES 5,500 (over €36 or $42) in certain markets. These increased costs are forcing some small-scale producers out of business and contributing to higher poultry and egg prices for consumers.
Ongoing Investments in the Sector
Despite these challenges, optimism remains in the sector. The rising demand for poultry meat and eggs, driven by urban populations and a growing fast-food industry, is prompting local policies and initiatives aimed at boosting production. Various local counties are investing in poultry and egg production projects, including support for indigenous chicken breeds, hatcheries, veterinary services, and incubators.
For instance, in Nakuru, poultry development programs involving 3,000 groups, which include women, youth, and persons with disabilities, have successfully produced over 67 million eggs annually, generating more than $6.6 million in sales. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding with the World Bank aims to more than double the number of birds raised in targeted programs and elevate self-sufficiency in chicken meat and eggs by 20-30%.
Path to Self-Sufficiency
The high Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in poultry meat preparations, averaging +10.9% between 2013 and 2024, highlights the rapid expansion of this segment. If Kenya can stabilize feed costs and continue enhancing capacity and efficiency, it has the potential not only to meet domestic demand but also to increase its share in regional trade.
In the next article, we will shift our focus to Tunisia.
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