Kenyan poultry producers urge government to halt imports
In an attempt to save the local industry, the Federation of Kenya Poultry Farmers has urged the Department of Veterinary […]
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In an attempt to save the local industry, the Federation of Kenya Poultry Farmers has urged the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and Department of Livestock Production (DLP) to temporarily halt the importation of poultry products from all the East African Communities countries, as it will lead to an oversupply of broilers in the local market.
“Local production has been more than market demand since last month, due to the call by the President Uhuru Kenyatta for farmers to increase production during Covid-19, 2020,” the Federation Kenya Poultry Farmers told DVS and DLP. This was decreed by the president, in fear of the population going hungry due to the pandemic.
Kenya Poultry Breeders Association echoed similar demands, urging poultry farmers to increase production, “we foresee a massive shortage of chicken and egg supply in the next coming months due to decline in day-old chicks placement over the past three weeks, therefore, we are encouraging our farmers not to stop the chicken business. The government has laid down measures to ensure poultry farming will not be interrupted including feed supply and chicken distribution.” Monica Wanjiru, the President of Federation of Poultry Farmers said Kenya has a surplus of 253 days in chicken inventory.
Wanjiru also added: “The COVID-19 crisis has severely aggravated the situation with the closure of hotels, restaurants, and other institutional buyers coupled with the restrictions in the movement of goods and people,”
Data emerging from the Kenya Poultry and Breeders Association (KPBA) demonstrated that as of May 20, there is inventory of 71.86 million kilos of dressed frozen chicken available in cold storage facilities alone, that are accredited by the KPBA.“In order to preserve the remaining production potential for 2020, the importation of poultry meat and poultry products must cease as soon as possible so that the industry, especially those at the breeder stage of the value chain, can hold on until times are less volatile,” the lobby group said.
The group also emphasized that their demand was not out of the ordinary, pointing out that such requests have also been submitted by their European counterparts, citing similar oversupply crises during the times of the pandemic.
Source: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001374090/local-farmers-want-poultry-imports-halted-cite-oversupply
