Kenya to leverage EU trade deal to expand meat exports
KENYA – Kenya is working to increase its meat exports to Europe under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, which became operational on July 1.
Through collaboration between the government and private sector, the country aims to tap into the European Union’s market of over 448 million people.
Kenya has already established a foothold in Europe with exports of flowers, avocados, and tea.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is spearheading efforts to grow the country’s meat exports, which were valued at US$135.23 million (KES 17.5 billion) in 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database.
Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo highlighted that the European Union annually imports US$50 billion worth of meat and edible meat offal, along with US$11 billion in live animals.
However, Kenya’s contributions to these markets remain minimal.
To address this gap, the State Department for Trade and KAM organized a sensitization program in Isiolo this week.
The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the European Union in Kenya, aimed to engage livestock industry stakeholders on export opportunities available through the EPA.
KAM emphasized the economic potential of Northern Kenya, noting the region’s significant livestock activities.
The EPA is modeled on the East African Community-European Union trade pact and requires Kenya to gradually liberalize 82.6% of imports from the EU over 25 years, starting in the seventh year after the deal takes effect.
Provisions for Kenya’s development, such as agricultural safeguards and protections for local industries, are included.
According to the Economic Survey 2024, Kenya’s production of meat and meat products grew by 10.1% in 2023, while fish processing and preservation expanded by 2.8%.
Total exports to the EU rose by 12.7% last year, reaching US$1.16 billion (KES 150.1 billion), driven by increased shipments of flowers, avocados, and beans.
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