OUDTSHOORN NEWS - The newly appointed Eastern Africa representative and founding chairperson of a recently established co-operative in Kenya, Henry Carlos Kioko, has expressed strong optimism about the future of the Dorper, boer goat and Kalahari red industries in East Africa.
Kioko is no stranger to the export of South African livestock, particularly through Karoo Livestock Exports, based in Chandelier just outside Oudtshoorn, a company that has built an extensive international footprint in the export of quality breeding stock.
"We see a strong group of new breeders entering the market annually," said Kioko. "They are stocking full-blood genetic animals for breeding purposes. In the near future, we will also launch a breeders' animal show to showcase East Africa's growing culture of genetic breeding. Any industry into which new blood is continually introduced has a promising future."
In an online interview with Oudtshoorn Courant, Kioko said the industry holds significant promise for emerging breeders across the East African region.
"Ewes and does are currently in particularly high demand, and this trend continues to strengthen. Farmers are now ordering full-blood genetic animals with more refined bloodlines that can provide quality lambs and kids for many years to come," he explained.
Despite the recent temporary ban on livestock imports imposed by Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation in South Africa, Kioko said there are no indications of panic within the genetic restocking sector.
"There are no signs of concern in the industry regarding genetics restocking. In fact, we are seeing a sudden increase in genetics orders. This trend proves that East African breeders remain active and continue to invest in their farming enterprises," he said.
South Africa's FMD control measures and strict livestock movement regulations remain under close national attention.
Kioko recently attended a meeting in Nairobi with the acting high commissioner, the Hon Ernest Kgopa of the South African High Commission, where the discussions included the bilateral agricultural trade relations between South Africa and Kenya.
According to Kioko, the South African Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is currently in the process of convening the South Africa-Kenya Joint Trade Committee by the end of April.
This committee is expected to address several challenges affecting bilateral trade relations and co-operation, with livestock exports to Kenya listed as one of the agenda items.
"We note that the South African High Commission in Kenya has already raised the matter with the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock during recent engagements," Kioko said.
He added that all stakeholders remain hopeful that the matter will receive the necessary attention and that a speedy resolution will pave the way for the lifting of the livestock importation ban.
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