Why Kenya is turning to Uganda for milk
Kenya is turning to neighbouring Uganda to help bridge a milk supply gap after local deliveries to processors fell and some retailers reported low stocks. Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui confirmed on Saturday, September 5, that Kenya was importing milk from Uganda because local production was not enough to meet demand. “Locally, we are not […]
Kenya is importing milk from neighboring Uganda due to a shortfall in local production, according to Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui. The government is aiming to reduce its reliance on imports and support dairy farmers to increase production. Drier and colder weather has reduced pasture and increased feed and water demands, impacting milk production in key dairy-producing areas.
While Kenya produces a significant amount of milk, weather conditions can cause sharp fluctuations in supply. Uganda has become a major dairy producer in the region, with milk production increasing from 3.85 billion litres in 2023 to 5.4 billion litres in 2024, and exports include UHT milk, milk powder, casein, and whey proteins.
The two countries have an existing framework for smoother cross-border trade, but the current import from Uganda is seen as a short-term solution to a supply problem rather than a replacement for local production.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
