Demand for poultry products is on the rise in Kenya, driven by the emerging middle class created in existing and new urban settlements as a result of devolution. To feed the appetite, an estimated 1.5 million birds are slaughtered weekly out of a population of approximately 35 million poultry that are fed to meet the growing demand.
This development opens up massive job opportunities especially in rural areas with huge untapped potential according to HPP which is organizing the Kenya Poultry Expo slated for May 23-25, 2023 at the Sarit Centre, Nairobi.
Show manager Michelle Mwangi says that contrary to popular belief, only chickens are raised for commercial purposes, turkeys, geese, guinea fowl and the “infamous” quail are delicacies in poultry farming. In the category of chickens, 75 percent are original chickens, 22 percent are broilers and layers, and 1% are breeding.
Due to the high demand and hardiness of the Kienyeji chicken, a number of varieties bred by the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Organization including Improved Kienyeji, Kuroilers, Rainbow, Rooster Kenbro and Sasso have appeared in the market.
While chicken is every farmer’s choice, Turkey is a more money-making bird and is a bird with increasing consumer demand, Ms Mwangi added.
The shift to white meat due to health concerns has fueled a surge in demand for poultry products, necessitating an exhibition to showcase the various poultry technologies and practices required for a successful business,” Ms Mwangi said. She added: “A growing retail sector with food outlets, fast food outlets and restaurants has created an easily accessible outlet for chicken and eggs that complements the chain and supports demand.
“We want to gather players in the poultry industry under one roof to give the country a chance to share emerging technologies in the sector and put the sector in perspective as a key player in the country’s economy,” Mwangi said. On display will be the latest poultry technologies and practices covering production, genetics, nutrition, feed, health, as well as marketing, operations and cost management and other critical factors for successful investment in the industry.
HPP is the organizer of the world’s premier flower show, IFTEX, an annual flower industry exhibition held in Nairobi.
