Kenyan meat exporters are facing significant losses as the Arabian market is disrupted by the Israel-Iran war, particularly during Ramadan. Over 300 tons of meat are stuck in local storage due to suspended flights and doubled shipping costs. The situation also impacts other exports like avocados, coffee, and tea.
Kenyan meat exporters to Arabian countries are estimating losses in billions of shillings due to the Israel-Iran war. The holy month of Ramadan is typically a peak period for meat sales, but the ongoing conflict has caused large quantities of meat to remain stuck in the country.
As of Monday, over 300 tons of meat were stuck in local storage following the suspension of flights and a doubling of shipping costs. Nicholus Ngahu, CEO of the Kenya Meat and Livestock Exporters Association (KEMLEIC), stated, “Of all the meat we slaughtered about two weeks ago, only a small portion has been exported. We are facing huge losses as cold storage facilities are starting to overflow.” Last week, they incurred losses exceeding Sh1 billion in just two days due to failed exports.
The war is also disrupting markets for other products like avocados, coffee, and tea, which rely on sea transport. Ships are taking longer to reach Mombasa Port because shipping routes have been rerouted to avoid the Red Sea, increasing transit times by 10 to 20 days or more. Agayo Ogambi, CEO of the East African Shippers Council (SCEA), said, “We are about to start the avocado export season in a few days. Delays in shipping will cause many harvested avocados to lose quality.”
Meanwhile, the conflict has led to a historic milestone at Lamu Port, which received its first roll-on/roll-off vessel six years after its launch. On Tuesday, the MV Grande Auckland, carrying 1,200 vehicles from Europe to the Middle East, arrived and anchored, unloading 469 vehicles, with the rest redirected to other destinations like Mumbai, India. Lamu Port Manager Abdulaziz Mzee said, “Due to the disruptions in the Middle East, this cargo will remain under our protection for a while.” Munir Minas Hussein, Managing Director of Nisomar Africa Shipping Company, added that the move was taken for safety reasons, particularly regarding ongoing issues in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East.
