Kenya’s poultry farmers are alleging that Farmers Choice, a leading meat processing company, has imported 11,000 kg of chicken from Uganda at a rate of $2.4 per kilogram. This price is significantly lower than the local rate of Ksh 380 per kilogram, raising concerns about potential market flooding and unfair competition.

The Kiambu Poultry Farmers Cooperative Society, representing local farmers, argues that these imports violate East African Community (EAC) anti-dumping regulations. They claim that the influx of cheap Ugandan chicken undermines local producers and disrupts the regional poultry market.

In response, the farmers are calling for the Kenyan government to impose tariffs on Ugandan poultry imports to protect local industries. They express concerns that without such measures, local farmers will struggle to compete, potentially leading to financial hardships and a decline in domestic poultry production.

This development highlights ongoing tensions within the EAC regarding poultry trade, with previous instances of disputes between Uganda and Kenya over poultry and sugar trade.