Kenya has intensified efforts to transform its pig value chain, projecting a 125 per cent growth by 2030 as the government moves to address production gaps, high feed costs, weak market systems and other structural challenges affecting the livestock sector.
Speaking Tuesday during the National Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Forum for the Pig Value Chain, Principal Secretary (PS) for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke said the sector presents a major opportunity for investment and growth in the country’s agricultural economy.
“The pig industry is one of the fastest-growing livestock value chains in our country,” Mueke said, noting that Kenya’s pig population currently stands at approximately 981,182.
He said annual pork demand in 2025 was estimated at 38,500 metric tonnes against a production level of 23,000 metric tonnes, with the sector valued at about Sh20 billion.
However, per capita consumption remains low at 0.4 kilograms compared to the global average of 0.8 kilograms.
Mueke observed that demand projections indicate consumption could rise by as much as 125 percent by 2030, describing the current figures as evidence of an under-realised opportunity in the sector.
“These numbers tell a clear story; pork presents a significant under realized opportunity. The pig value chain contributes directly to household incomes and employment, especially for smallholder farmers who make up about 80 percent of our producers,” he said.
The Principal Secretary noted that the sector plays a key role in supporting food and nutrition security, industrial growth, and job creation through processing, logistics and retail, and aligns with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He called for urgent expansion of production and value addition to meet rising demand, noting that changing urban consumption patterns present new opportunities for growth.
“Pork is a nutrient-dense food, rich in high-quality protein and important micronutrients such as iron, zinc and B-vitamins. It provides energy that supports active and productive livelihoods,” he said, adding that responsibly produced pork can help address malnutrition and improve dietary diversity.
Mueke, however, warned that the sector continues to face major constraints, including low productivity due to poor genetics and breeding systems, high feed costs, weak extension services, and limited farmer knowledge.
He further cited disease threats, particularly African swine fever, alongside biosecurity gaps that continue to cause heavy losses.
He also noted that the industry remains dominated by informal markets, with many farmers lacking access to finance, structured markets and processing facilities.
“Sustainability must be our guiding principle economically, socially and environmentally,” he said.
To address these challenges, the government outlined priority interventions aimed at strengthening the value chain. These include improving productivity through investment in quality breeds, affordable feeds and better animal health and husbandry practices.
Mueke also emphasised strengthening farmer capacity through expanded extension services, digital and mobile-based knowledge sharing, and enhanced farmer organisation to improve bargaining power and efficiency.
He further called for deeper market integration and value addition through strengthened linkages between producers and processors, promotion of contract farming, and investment in processing and cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
On inclusivity, the Principal Secretary stressed the need to expand opportunities for women and youth through improved access to finance, training, and enterprise development across the value chain.
He also highlighted food safety and traceability as key priorities, noting that consumer confidence was essential for expanding both local and export markets.
“We will strengthen inspection and certification systems, promote traceability, and ensure compliance with national and international standards,” he said.
Mueke emphasised that government efforts alone would not be sufficient, calling for stronger public-private partnerships.
“The government cannot do this alone. We call for stronger and deeper public-private partnerships,” he said, citing the need for collaboration between national and county governments, private sector actors such as processors and input suppliers, research institutions, and development partners.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing an enabling policy and regulatory environment, supporting investment in infrastructure and innovation, and facilitating access to markets, finance and technology.
Mueke said the pig value chain holds immense potential to enhance food security, nutrition and economic development in Kenya.
“I urge each one of you to engage fully, share your insights, and forge partnerships that will move this agenda forward,” he said.
The forum brought together stakeholders from across the livestock sector to discuss strategies for unlocking growth in the pig industry.
By Anita Kariuki and Nyawira Githinji
