Kenya's meat exports disrupted by Middle East war

Kenya’s agricultural exports to the Middle East are facing fresh uncertainty as the escalating war involving Iran against Israel and US disrupts trade routes and air cargo operations, threatening one of the country’s most important export markets.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned that the crisis is already affecting key exports, particularly meat and animal products that Kenya ships to the Middle East every week.

According to the CS, Kenya exports meat and related animal products worth about Sh300 million weekly to the Middle East, with a significant share previously destined for Iran and neighbouring markets.

However, the ongoing war has disrupted supply chains and trade logistics, forcing exporters and the government to reassess the country’s export strategy.

“The global situation that currently exists in the Middle East and the impact it is likely to have on us in agriculture is something we are monitoring closely.

“We send about Sh300 million worth of meat and animal products to the Middle East every week and that is obviously something we must think about, particularly the products we have been selling to Iran,” he said in Nyeri on Wednesday.

The Middle East has long been one of Kenya’s largest export destinations for livestock products, particularly chilled goat and sheep meat.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman account for a large share of Kenya’s meat exports, making the region a critical market for pastoralist communities and livestock traders.

Beyond meat exports, the war could also affect Kenya’s tea trade, another key agricultural export to the region.

Kagwe said the government is already taking measures to cushion farmers and exporters from prolonged disruptions by identifying alternative markets for Kenyan livestock products.

“We are looking at other markets that have arisen as a result of the situation. We believe we will be able to cater for other markets and replace the markets that are currently in conflict,” he said.

The government is also working closely with other agencies to monitor the situation and respond quickly to emerging challenges.

The CS said a multi-agency team within government is assessing the potential economic impacts of the conflict, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved in diplomatic engagements aimed at safeguarding Kenya’s trade interests in the region.

“All in all, nobody can escape a situation such as this one. The issue is what measures we can take to mitigate against negative impacts in our economy and particularly in our agricultural sector. We are working around the clock,” he said.

Trade data shows Kenya’s commercial ties with the Middle East have grown rapidly in recent years, with exports to the region rising from about Sh59 billion in 2020 to more than Sh164 billion in 2024.

At the same time, the CS said the government is tightening measures to ensure that food produced locally remains safe and healthy for consumers. He revealed that the ministry has already banned about 77 pesticides considered harmful and adopted a policy that prohibits the use of chemicals that have been banned in other parts of the world.

“We are using all sorts of methods and technology to ensure that the food that we grow is healthy food. No pesticides or chemicals that are banned anywhere else in the world will be used here in Kenya,” he said.

Kagwe added that the government is engaging pyrethrum producers and processors to scale up the use of organic pest control products as an alternative to chemical pesticides while also promoting indigenous knowledge in farming practices.

He further noted that the government has stepped up fertilizer support to farmers ahead of the planting season.

“Through the subsidised fertiliser programme, the government has already distributed about three million bags since December and plans to release an additional one to 1.5 million bags to farmers across the country,” he said.

The CS said the government has allocated about Sh8 billion in supplementary budget estimates to support the fertilizer subsidy programme, assuring farmers that the country has adequate stocks despite logistical challenges experienced in some regions.

“There is no shortage of fertilizer in the country. What we are dealing with are logistical issues. We are working with the National Cereals and Produce Board to ensure fertilizer reaches farmers in good time because there is no point in getting fertilizer after the rains have passed,” he said.