KENYA – Kenya has lifted the ban on poultry and poultry products from Uganda that was imposed two years ago following the outbreak of viral influenza disease in Uganda.
Harry Kimutai,
“I can confirm that it is now official that Ugandan poultry products can be exported to Kenya without restrictions that have been in place for nearly two years,” said Mr Kimutai.
“The move follows bilateral talks between the two governments in March, which also saw Kenya’s beef allowed access to the Ugandan market.”
According to a Business Daily report, Kenya had in August 2017 allowed only three firms from Uganda to export chicken products after they met the conditions set to eliminate and curb the spread of the virus.
Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries confirmed the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in January 2017.
This led to Kenya banning importation of poultry products from Uganda to prevent the spread of the disease.
AfCFTA open market for dairy products
The Department of Livestock has unveiled plans of expanding the share of Kenya’s dairy products in the African market with an eye on West Africa following the advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We are eying to expand our market to other regions and we are starting with West Africa that has already expressed interest in our milk products, especially the powdered milk,”
Liberia and Nigeria are among the West African countries that have been cited as major export destinations.
Mr Kimutai added that Kenya would also witness an increase in dairy goods from other nations, noting the country needs to address the high cost of production to remain competitive in the market.
Kenya Dairy Board managing director Margaret Kibogy says Nairobi is seeking to lower of the cost of production from the current Sh25 per litre to Sh15 in order to remain competitive in the wake of the free trade area.
The African free trade pact came into effect in May after two more countries ratified the agreement.
