Poultry farmers demand tariffs on Ugandan chicken imports amid dumping allegations

Spearheaded by the Kiambu Poultry Farmers Cooperative Society, these farmers accuse the company of breaching the East African Community (EAC) Anti-Dumping Regulations.

According to the EAC, "dumping" occurs when goods are imported at prices lower than their standard market value in the country of origin.

In January 2025, the meat production company brought in 11,000 kg of chicken from Uganda’s SR Afro Chick & Breeders at USD 2.4 per kilogram—substantially cheaper than Kenya’s local price of Ksh. 380 per kilogram.

“This pricing is far below the market standard in Kenya and is a blatant case of dumping,” the farmers stated.

Dumping happens when a product is sold in the importing country at a lower price than in the exporting nation. Evidence presented by the farmers shows that in Uganda, the same chicken retails at USD 2.9 per kilogram, yet the same company exports it to Nairobi at USD 2.4 per kilogram.

This $0.50 per kilogram (KES 62) discrepancy represents a 20% price undercut, solidifying their case for dumping.

Farmers are now urging the Kenya Trade Remedies Agency (KETRA) to investigate and take corrective measures. KETRA is mandated to handle anti-dumping cases and ensure fair trade practices within Kenya.

In an earlier interview, KETRA CEO Samuel Chemisto emphasized that dumping is unacceptable in Kenya. Although the World Trade Organization’s Anti-Dumping Agreement permits certain forms of dumping, it also provides guidelines for governments to protect domestic industries from unfair competition.

These recent allegations have intensified pressure on KETRA to act swiftly and shield Kenya’s poultry sector from foreign competition that threatens local farmers’ livelihoods.

Since November 2024, Kenyan poultry farmers have been struggling with mounting challenges due to the influx of imported chicken meat flooding the local market at artificially low prices. This surge of foreign products has weakened local producers' competitiveness and jeopardized their businesses.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has remained conspicuously silent, offering no intervention or guidance to mitigate the crisis.

Compounding the crisis are systemic issues within the poultry industry. Farmers have long suffered exploitation at the hands of powerful cartels dominating key markets like Nairobi's City Market. These cartels enforce unfair pricing models, further diminishing small-scale producers’ profits.

Additionally, inconsistent county-level tax policies result in double taxation, driving up operational costs and stifling inter-county trade. For example, Mombasa County imposes multiple fees, including carcass inspection and offloading charges, which collectively burden small-scale farmers.

The combined effects of dumped imports, cartel exploitation, and punitive taxation have created an unsustainable environment for poultry farmers. Many are operating at a loss, with some forced to downscale or shut down their businesses altogether.

The soaring cost of poultry feed, which has seen sharp price hikes—like the increase of a 70kg bag of layers' mash from Ksh.3,800 in April 2024 to Ksh,.4,500—has only deepened the financial strain on farmers.