Nairobi: Kenya has intensified efforts to transform its pig value chain, projecting a 125 percent 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mueke highlighted that the pig industry is one of the fastest-growing livestock value chains in Kenya, with the pig population currently standing at approximately 981,182. The annual pork demand in 2025 is estimated at 38,500 metric tonnes against a production level of 23,000 metric tonnes, valuing the sector 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. He noted that the pig value chain contributes directly to household incomes and employment, especially for smallholder farmers who make up about 80 percent of the producers.
The Principal Secretary emphasized the sector’s role in supporting food and nutrition security, industrial growth, and job creation through processing, logistics, and retail. This 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.
Mueke 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 also cited disease threats, particularly African swine fever, along with biosecurity gaps that cause heavy losses.
The government has outlined priority interventions aimed at strengthening the value chain, such as improving productivity through investment in quality breeds, affordable feeds, and better animal health and husbandry practices. Mueke also emphasized strengthening farmer capacity through expanded extension services, digital and mobile-based knowledge sharing, and enhanced farmer organization 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, Mueke stressed the need to expand opportunities for women and youth through improved access to finance, training, and enterprise development across the value chain.
The Principal Secretary highlighted food safety and traceability as key priorities, noting that consumer confidence is 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 emphasized that government efforts alone would not be sufficient and called for stronger public-private partnerships. He cited 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.
The forum brought together stakeholders from across the livestock sector to discuss strategies for unlocking growth in the pig industry. Mueke urged participants to engage fully, share insights, and forge partnerships that will advance the agenda of enhancing food security, nutrition, and economic development in Kenya.