NAKURU, Kenya — Kenya is turning to neighbouring Uganda to bridge a milk supply shortfall as prolonged dry conditions continue to weigh on domestic dairy production.
Trade, Investments and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui confirmed the move on Saturday, September 5, saying Kenya is currently unable to produce enough milk to meet domestic demand.
Speaking during the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru Family Day, Kinyanjui said imports from neighbouring countries, particularly Uganda, would help address the immediate shortage while the Government works to strengthen local production.
“Locally we are not able to meet our demand, so we are actually importing from our neighbouring countries like Uganda and we believe that this is not where the country should be. So we urge the farmers, we will support you to ensure that you can produce for the nation for self-sufficiency,” Kinyanjui said.
The CS attributed the shortage to a prolonged dry spell that has affected farmers and disrupted milk production in several parts of the country.
Drought puts pressure on milk production
The latest shortage highlights the vulnerability of Kenya’s dairy sector to weather conditions.
Dairy farmers rely heavily on consistent availability of pasture, fodder and water to maintain milk production. Prolonged dry conditions can reduce feed availability and increase production costs, forcing farmers to reduce herd sizes or milk output.
Kinyanjui said the Government would support farmers as part of efforts to restore domestic production and reduce the need for imports.
The immediate focus, however, is to ensure adequate milk supplies reach consumers as local production struggles to keep pace with demand.
Uganda emerges as key supplier
Uganda has established itself as one of East Africa’s major dairy producers and has increasingly supplied surplus milk and processed dairy products to neighbouring markets.
The country produces an estimated 5.3 billion to 5.4 billion litres of milk annually, supported by major dairy-producing areas including Ankole, Mbarara, greater Masaka and Ntungamo.
Its relatively stable production has allowed Uganda to maintain supplies even during periods when weather conditions affect production elsewhere in the region.
Uganda has also increasingly shifted from exporting raw milk towards value-added products such as pasteurised milk, milk powder and butter oil.
That expansion has strengthened the country’s position as a net dairy exporter and created opportunities for regional trade.
Kenya and Uganda have similar annual output
Despite Uganda’s growing role as a regional dairy supplier, Kenya’s annual milk production is broadly comparable.
Kenya produces an estimated 5.2 billion to 5.4 billion litres of milk annually.
The difference, however, lies in the ability to consistently meet domestic demand.
Kenya’s dairy sector is heavily dependent on smallholder farmers, many of whom remain vulnerable to drought and other weather shocks.
Fluctuations in feed availability and production can therefore quickly translate into shortages in the domestic market.
Uganda’s more stable output and growing processing capacity have enabled it to maintain a surplus that can be directed towards regional markets.
Government targets dairy self-sufficiency
Kinyanjui said relying on imported milk is not where Kenya wants its dairy industry to be.
He called on farmers to increase production while assuring them of Government support to help the country achieve self-sufficiency.
The Government’s challenge is to address both short-term shortages and structural weaknesses affecting dairy production.
Improving access to affordable animal feed, water, veterinary services, technology and markets could help farmers maintain production during periods of adverse weather.
Greater investment in dairy processing could also enable farmers to earn more from value-added products rather than relying solely on raw milk sales.
Kenya-Uganda trade deal already provides framework
The planned milk imports are not an entirely new development in Kenya-Uganda trade relations.
The two countries signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement on the sidelines of the 46th COMESA Policy Organs Meeting last year.
The agreement was designed to facilitate cross-border trade in essential commodities and reduce disruptions when one market experiences shortages.
The framework covers products including maize, rice, beans, sorghum, soybeans and groundnuts, alongside other commodities that may be affected by sudden supply shortages.
Milk can similarly benefit from the broader arrangements aimed at facilitating commodity movement between the two countries.
Malaba border central to commodity movement
The Kenya-Uganda trade arrangements also seek to improve the efficiency of cross-border movement through the Malaba border post.
The objective is to facilitate the movement of essential commodities, improve food security and create better market opportunities for farmers and traders in both countries.
Farmers urged to increase production
Kinyanjui’s appeal to farmers comes as the Government seeks to strengthen agricultural production across the country.
The CS said farmers would receive Government support to increase output and contribute towards national food self-sufficiency.
For the dairy sector, that will require measures that address the challenges faced by smallholder producers, particularly during dry periods.
Access to reliable water and affordable feed remains crucial to maintaining milk production, while improved breeding, animal health services and dairy technology can help increase productivity.
