According to reporting in The Standard, the Kiambu Poultry Farmers’ Cooperative Society, a group representing Kenyan poultry farmers, says that the COVID-19 lockdown has put increased pressure on the poultry industry. Many of the markets farmers would sell to have been restricted, especially sales to the restaurant industry.

“Because KFC, Chicken Inn’s and other takeaway restaurants are closed by 9 pm, and the sale of hot foods banned during the lockdown, chicken producers have lost a big part of their regular market. Also, many people can’t afford to buy meat anymore, due to job losses,” argued Kiambu Poultry Farmers’ Cooperative Society Director Zack Munyambu.

In addition to these challenges, Munyambu explained that Kenya’s poultry farmers must compete with tax-free chicken from East African countries. He claims that Uganda is dumping nearly 100,000 kgs of chicken into Kenyan markets each month, undercutting the domestic industry.

Read more about this story in The Standard.