NAIROBI, Kenya — Meat exports from East Africa to Gulf markets have sharply declined after shipping and air-freight disruptions linked to the escalating US–Israel–Iran conflict crippled trade during the peak Ramadan demand season.
Exporters say shipments from Kenya and neighbouring countries have dropped to about 5 percent of normal Ramadan volumes as airlines cut routes and shipping lanes face security risks.
The Middle East remains the primary market for East African chilled meat, with the United Arab Emirates typically accounting for between 40 and 60 percent of Kenya’s exports.
Industry officials said exporters are now sending only limited cargo to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while shipments to Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan have been disrupted. The collapse comes at a time when demand usually surges ahead of Ramadan, a critical sales window for livestock exporters.
The slump has been driven by a sharp rise in freight costs and cancellations of cargo flights to Gulf destinations. Exporters reported airfreight rates more than doubling, forcing many to halt shipments of perishable chilled beef, lamb, and goat meat.
Kenya typically sends roughly $2.3 million worth of meat and animal products to the Middle East each week.
The disruption is tied to broader logistics turmoil triggered by the conflict, which has seen shipping routes through key Gulf corridors become high-risk. Freight costs on some routes have surged several-fold due to war-risk insurance, rerouting, and reduced vessel availability, with perishable cargo among the hardest hit.
The impact is spreading across agricultural exports, with analysts warning that African producers heavily reliant on Gulf markets face falling prices, unsold goods, and mounting losses.
Supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict have already affected multiple commodities, including tea and fresh produce from East Africa.
Kenyan authorities and industry groups are now exploring alternative markets to cushion exporters, but traders warn that shifting supply chains during peak seasonal demand is difficult.
The Gulf region has long served as a premium destination for halal-certified East African meat, particularly during Ramadan and Eid festivities.
Economists say prolonged instability in the Middle East could deepen losses for livestock producers, transporters, and abattoirs, while also threatening foreign exchange earnings tied to agricultural exports.
