Chicken meat and offal market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Kenya's chicken meat market fell sharply from 132.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 70.6 thousand tons in 2020. This contraction was driven by persistently high feed costs and shortages of day-old chicks, which led some producers to close, followed by severe supply chain disruptions and increased production expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recovery began in 2021, with market volume rising to 90 thousand tons as efforts to improve poultry value chains and food safety systems took effect. Growth continued to 94.7 thousand tons in 2022, supported by rising consumer demand for affordable protein and the expansion of cold storage and processing infrastructure. The market stabilized at 94.5 thousand tons in 2023 following the introduction of comprehensive new Livestock (Poultry Industry) Regulations.

Throughout this period, significant foreign investment inflows and government-backed initiatives like the NARIGP project, which trained farmers and aligned communities with the chicken value chain, provided foundational support for the sector's development.

Production chicken meat and offal in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Chicken meat and offal production in Kenya has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Kenya produced 69.2 K t of chicken meat and offal, marking a significant decrease of 22.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 35%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 13.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 131.7 K t. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019, with a 32.6% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, at 23.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal production in Kenya has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 300.8 M $ US, which is 30.7% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.9%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 544.9 M $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 36.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 17 t and peaked in 2020 at 57 t, representing a 3.3-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported 57 t of chicken meat and offal, which is a 226.4% surge compared to 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, with a 30.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Kenya's chicken meat and offal exports in kind were Rwanda, Bunkers, and South Sudan. Together, they accounted for 72.7% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported 248 K $ US of chicken meat and offal, reflecting a sharp increase of 190.0% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with an 18.4% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Kenya's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were Rwanda (34.6% of exports), Bunkers (22.7% of exports), and Somalia (15.3% of exports). These three markets combined represented 72.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes were at their minimum in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2020, with a 19-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Kenya's imports of chicken meat and offal totaled 1 397 t, which is a 268.2% improvement compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 52.1% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 954.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, imports of chicken meat and offal to Kenya in kind were almost entirely concentrated in Uganda, which held a 97.4% share of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 12.9-fold increase. In 2020, Kenya's imports of chicken meat and offal amounted to 3 776 K $ US, constituting a 321.6% rise relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 66.0% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, at 798.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on Uganda, which absorbed 98.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020