Farmer’s Choice and Government Launch Strategy to Unlock Kenya’s Sh19.5 Billion Pig Industry
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke (left), and Farmer’s Choice CEO, Felisters Gitau Mutugu, address the media in Nairobi on April 14, 2026, on the National Pig Value Chain Development Strategy (2025–2029).
NAIROBI, April 14, 2026 — Stakeholders in the livestock sector convened in Nairobi for a national sensitisation forum on the pig value chain, organised by Farmer’s Choice Limited in partnership with the State Department for Livestock Development.
The forum brought together government officials, county representatives, development partners, farmers and industry players to assess challenges and opportunities in the sector amid rising pork demand. This high-level meeting, held in Nairobi, marks a pivotal moment for an industry that is increasingly being recognized as a cornerstone of Kenya’s agricultural transformation.
The Significant Opportunity for Food Security
Speaking during the forum, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, said the pig value chain presents a significant opportunity to enhance food security, create employment and improve incomes for smallholder farmers.
“The pig value chain presents a significant opportunity for Kenya to diversify its sources of animal protein while improving incomes for smallholder farmers,” he said.
Mueke noted that Kenya’s pig population stands at approximately 981,182, with annual pork demand estimated at 38,500 metric tonnes against production of 23,000 metric tonnes, pointing to a substantial supply gap. This deficit of 15,500 metric tonnes highlights a massive commercial window for local producers who have previously struggled to achieve scale.
“Addressing constraints such as disease management, feed affordability, traceability, and market access will be critical to closing the supply gap and meeting growing demand,” he added.
Addressing Low Consumption and Rising Demand
According to stakeholders, pork consumption in Kenya remains low at 0.4 kilogrammes per capita annually, compared to the global average of 0.8 kilogrammes, despite increasing urbanisation and changing dietary patterns.
Experts at the forum pointed out that as the middle class expands and more Kenyans move into urban centres, the demand for affordable, high-quality protein is skyrocketing. Projections suggest that the sector could see a demand surge of over 125 per cent by 2030, necessitating an immediate shift in production methods.
Farmer’s Choice Limited Chief Executive Officer, Felisters Gitau Mutugu, called for stronger collaboration across the value chain to unlock its full potential.
“Transforming the pig value chain requires deliberate and sustained collaboration across production, processing, markets, and policy,” she said.
She emphasized that the private sector is ready to invest, but requires a stable policy environment to thrive.
“We must invest in farmer capacity, strengthen traceability and food safety systems, and build consumer trust, while expanding market access and opportunities for farmers,” she added.
Overcoming Key Industry Constraints
Stakeholders cited high feed costs accounting for up to 70 per cent of production limited access to quality breeding stock, and recurring disease outbreaks such as African swine fever as key challenges affecting the sector. These high operational costs have historically acted as a barrier to entry for youth and women looking to venture into agribusiness. Furthermore, the threat of disease often wipes out entire herds, underscoring the need for more robust veterinary interventions and biosecurity protocols.
They also highlighted gaps in cold chain infrastructure, weak extension services, and the dominance of informal markets as constraints to growth. Many smallholder farmers lack the facilities to store meat safely, forcing them to sell at lower prices to middlemen.
Mueke said the government is implementing measures to improve productivity through better genetics, affordable feeds and strengthened animal health systems, while enhancing farmer capacity through extension services and digital platforms. These digital tools are expected to provide farmers with real-time data on market prices and animal health management.
A Vision for Economic Growth
The forum forms part of ongoing efforts under the National Pig Value Chain Development Strategy (2025–2029), which aims to strengthen public-private partnerships and empower smallholder farmers. This strategy is built on the premise that the livestock sector is not just about food, but about wealth creation.
By formalizing the market and improving the quality of Kenyan pork, the government hopes to eventually tap into the lucrative regional export markets within the East African Community.Stakeholders noted that with proper investment and coordination, the pig sector could support over 1.5 million households, improve nutrition outcomes and significantly contribute to Kenya’s economic growth.
As the forum concluded, there was a consensus that the roadmap laid out provides a clear path toward making Kenya a regional leader in pig production. By aligning policy with private sector investment, the strategy seeks to create a sustainable and highly productive pig industry that meets both national and international standards.
