Kenya secures Oman market with 15,000 livestock export

Kenya will be exporting 15,000 live animals to Oman in the next two weeks.

This development comes as Kenya prepares a delegation to Saudia Arabia to explore new livestock markets in the country.

The government has also said the completion of the Bachuma Livestock Export Processing Zone in Taita Taveta will be completed later this year.

In January Kenya exported 13,000 live animals worth Kshs. 125.4 million to Oman the first shipment in 16 years.

This after trade negotiations between the two nations that among other agreements proposed enhancement of the animal traceability systems to reduce cases of animal pests and diseases.

The Middle East nation will once again make forays into the Kenyan market seeking to purchase 15,000 additional animals in the next two weeks.

The government now says it is planning to get more markets for live animals as they seek to leverage on the soon-to-be-completed Bachuma quarantine facility.

The Kenya Defence Forces that was tasked with the construction of the Kshs. 370 million facility is set to announce tenders for the completion of the remaining 20% of the facility.

Kenya has also initiated talks with Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a bid to start the export of live animals to the two countries.

A high-ranking Kenyan delegation is expected to leave the country next month headed for the Gulf nations.

Kenya is also seeking to leverage on the Bachuma facility to join Botswana as the only African nation exporting meat to the US after Kenya lost the market in the 90s due to the collapse of the Kenya Meat Commission.