KENYA – Kenyan dorper sheep farmers are increasingly finding profitable opportunities by targeting international markets, as demand for their products grows overseas.
By shifting focus from local buyers to foreign markets, these farmers have carved out a specialized niche that promises steady growth.
This trend is particularly evident in regions where traditional farming has struggled due to fluctuating domestic prices.
Farmers, who once primarily served local markets, are now capitalizing on the high demand from countries where lamb and mutton are considered premium products.
The Dorper is a breed of sheep originating in South Africa in the 1930s, created by crossbreeding the Dorset Horn with the Blackheaded Persian.
This breed was specifically developed for the arid, expansive regions of South Africa and is now highly valued for its rapid growth and ability to produce lambs with high-quality carcasses that have excellent conformation and fat distribution.
Dorpers are well-suited to climates like those found on ranches in central Texas, where they thrive as non-selective grazers.
They are natural shedders, reducing the need for shearing, which can be stressful and cause injury.
This makes them appealing to local producers.
Additionally, Dorpers’ grazing on rocky, barren land naturally maintains their teeth and hooves.
This is good timing, as Kenya is positioning itself to significantly enhance its meat industry.
For instance, the country made a deal with Iran.
Just a few months ago, the two countries formalized a deal that will see Kenya export between 40 to 50 tonnes of sheep and meat to Iran on a daily basis.
This agreement is anticipated to generate an estimated US$6 million in monthly revenue, providing a substantial boost to Kenya’s economy while also opening up new avenues for the country’s agricultural sector.
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