Stakeholders Convene to Unlock Kenya’s Pig Sector Amid Rising Demand and Nutrition Gap

By Gedion Nzyoki -

• Stakeholders met in Nairobi to explore ways of strengthening Kenya’s pig value chain amid rising demand and production gaps
• Leaders highlighted opportunities in the sector but noted challenges such as high feed costs, disease, and weak infrastructure
• Calls were made for stronger public-private partnerships to boost productivity, markets, and food safety

NAIROBI, April 14, 2026 – Key players in Kenya’s livestock industry on Tuesday gathered at Safari Park Hotel for the National Pig Value Chain Stakeholders’ Sensitization Forum, a high-level meeting aimed at unlocking the country’s underexploited pork sector amid rising demand and shifting dietary trends.

Photo collage of stakeholders, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, and Farmers Choice Limited CEO, Ms Felisters Gitau Mutugu, during the Forum. (Photo: Courtesy)

The forum, convened by the State Department for Livestock Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Farmers Choice Limited, brought together government officials, private sector actors, farmers, and development partners to chart a path toward a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive pig industry.

Speaking during the forum, Farmers Choice Limited Chief Executive Officer Felisters Gitau Mutugu underscored the need for stronger collaboration to unlock the full potential of Kenya’s pig value chain. 

She described pig farming as a strategic avenue for strengthening food security and expanding access to affordable animal protein, citing its efficiency due to shorter production cycles. 

According to her, the sector has significant potential to meet rising national protein demand while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, and Farmers Choice Limited CEO, Ms Felisters Gitau Mutugu, during a press briefing at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. (Photo: Courtesy)

Mutugu revealed that Farmers Choice currently works with about 4,000 pig farmers and plans to double that number by 2030 as part of its expansion strategy. 

She noted that increasing productivity remains a key priority, with efforts focused on improving output through partnerships with government agencies, county governments, and development partners.

“Our ambition aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture—while working towards our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2030. As much as we support other livestock such as beef and chicken, pig farming is one of the key areas we intend to scale. Today, we are working with 4,000 pig farmers, and our commitment, in line with our next five-year strategy, is to double this number by 2030,” Mutugu said.

She further observed that the pig value chain already supports thousands of jobs and livelihoods, with plans to expand its socio-economic impact in the coming years. 

Capacity-building initiatives targeting youth and women, she added, are central to this vision, with plans to train tens of thousands through collaborations with technical institutions and county governments.

Despite the opportunities, Mutugu highlighted several challenges facing the sector, including high feed costs, limited access to quality breeding stock, and disease outbreaks such as African swine fever. She also cited weak cold chain systems, limited market access, and food safety concerns as key barriers to growth.

She said ongoing collaborations with government and partners aim to address these constraints through improved biosecurity measures, enhanced infrastructure, and greater consumer awareness on food quality and nutrition.

“However, challenges remain. Feed costs account for 70% of production and continue to rise, limiting access to affordable food. While there have been improvements in genetics with support from the Ministry, access remains uneven across the country. We are working with counties to improve access to quality genetics and artificial insemination services,” she added.

On his part, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, noted that the pig industry remains one of the fastest-growing livestock value chains in the country, though it has yet to reach its full potential.

He pointed to a significant gap between supply and demand, noting that pork consumption is projected to rise sharply by 2030, presenting a major economic opportunity for Kenya.

“The pig industry is one of the fastest-growing livestock value chains in our country. According to our 2025 figures, Kenya’s pig population stands at approximately 981,182. Annual pork demand in 2025 was 38,500 metric tonnes while production was 23,000 metric tonnes, with a sector value of about KES 20 billion. Yet per capita consumption remains low at 0.4 kg compared with a 0.8 kg global average,” Mueke said.

Mueke observed that the sector plays a key role in supporting smallholder farmers, who form the majority of producers, while also contributing to job creation and industrial growth through processing and distribution.

He highlighted several constraints affecting the industry, including low productivity, high feed costs, weak extension services, limited farmer knowledge, and recurring disease outbreaks such as African swine fever. 

He also cited structural challenges such as the dominance of informal markets, limited access to affordable finance, and inadequate processing and cold chain infrastructure.

The government, he said, is prioritizing interventions aimed at improving livestock breeds, expanding access to affordable animal feeds, strengthening extension services, and promoting climate-smart livestock production systems.

He further emphasized the need to enhance food safety standards, improve traceability systems, and integrate farmers into structured markets in order to strengthen consumer confidence and unlock export opportunities.

Both leaders called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, county governments, research institutions, and development partners to drive sustainable growth in the value chain.

“The Government cannot do this alone. We call for stronger and deeper public-private partnerships. Collaboration between national and county governments, private sector actors such as Farmers Choice and input suppliers, research institutions, and development partners is essential. Together we can build a resilient, competitive and inclusive pig industry,” Mueke added.

Inside Farmers Choice Limited

Farmers Choice Limited is one of Africa’s leading meat producers, with operations spanning fresh and value-added products across beef, pork, poultry, and fish segments.

Its product portfolio includes fresh meat cuts as well as processed items such as sausages, bacon, and deli products, serving both domestic and regional markets.

The company operates an integrated farm-to-table model designed to ensure traceability, food safety, and consistent product quality. This system links livestock production directly to processing and distribution, enabling full control across the value chain.

Farmers Choice also works closely with farmers, offering technical training, improved breeding genetics, quality animal feed, and modern production practices aimed at boosting productivity and efficiency.

Beyond Kenya, the company has expanded its market reach to more than 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East, positioning itself as a key player in the regional meat processing and export industry.

Through this model, Farmers Choice continues to promote sustainable livestock production, farmer empowerment, and the delivery of safe, nutritious protein products to consumers.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that with the right investments, policies, and partnerships, the sector can bridge existing supply gaps, create jobs, and make a stronger contribution to national food security goals.