Wangari Kamau
Research shows that fish is rapidly becoming one of the most important sources of animal protein in global diets, with consumption growing faster than the world’s population due to rising awareness of its health benefits, higher incomes and expanding urban lifestyles. In Kenya, these dynamics are translating into stronger demand for aquaculture products, with annual per capita fish consumption reaching approximately 4.6 kg and a national supply gap exceeding 400,000 tonnes, as outlined in the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 Economic Survey.
Demand is increasingly concentrated in urban centers, while growing awareness of fish’s nutritional value is also shaping consumption in rural and peri-urban households. With Africa’s population projected to approach 2.5 billion by 2050, according to United Nations projections, fish is set to play an even more critical role in food and nutrition security. This underscores the urgency for Kenya to expand domestic aquaculture production.
Over the past decade, the Kenyan government has made significant investments to promote domestic aquaculture development. Programs such as the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), supported through an investment of US$143.3 million, have boosted smallholder production, strengthened aquaculture value chains and created employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women. Yet despite these efforts, feed remains a critical bottleneck for the sector’s growth.
Feed as the Sector’s Weakest Link
WorldFish and partner research shows that feed accounts for more than 60% of the total cost of fish production in Kenya, placing a significant financial burden on small-scale farmers. The average cost of commercial feed ranges from US$1.00 to US$1.24 per kilogram, fluctuating with global market trends and currency exchange rates. This instability leaves local farmers vulnerable, especially those with limited resources and small ponds. Even small price increases can significantly affect production levels and profitability.
In response to rising feed costs, many farmers have turned to cheaper alternatives such as rice bran or maize bran. While these ingredients are more affordable, they lack the nutritional value needed for optimal fish growth, leading to slower growth rates, increased mortality and lower production yields.
The issue of feed in Kenya is not solely about price. Several structural and policy-related challenges continue to affect the country’s feed industry. Local feed manufacturers often lack modern equipment, skilled technicians and quality control systems, resulting in inconsistent feed quality. This lack of standardization makes it difficult for farmers to rely on locally produced feed, as quality can vary significantly from batch to batch.
Regulatory hurdles, uneven policy enforcement and competition for resources such as fishmeal further exacerbate the challenge. The combined impact of these factors creates a volatile feed supply, undermining farmer confidence and threatening the stability of the wider value chain.
Feed as a Critical Solution for Growth
Despite these challenges, recent research points to feed not only as the sector’s weakest link, but also as one of the most promising areas for unlocking Kenya’s aquaculture potential. Strengthening the local feed system could have a transformative effect on the industry by improving fish production, boosting farmer incomes and supporting rural employment.
One key opportunity is the use of alternative protein sources such as black soldier fly larvae. This locally available and sustainable ingredient could reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported feed ingredients, cut costs and improve the overall sustainability of the feed supply. Empowering cooperatives and farmer groups to produce their own feed could also reduce dependence on commercial feed producers and give farmers greater control over feed quality and cost.
Policy Adjustments and a Coordinated Approach
To enable these improvements, studies on Kenya’s aquaculture feed sector emphasize the need for policy adjustments. Reducing taxes on feed ingredients, improving access to financing and enhancing training programs for both farmers and feed manufacturers are essential steps. A coordinated approach between government agencies, researchers, private companies and farmer organizations is crucial to ensure that feed production aligns with the needs of the aquaculture industry and Kenya’s broader blue economy goals.
By creating a more stable and affordable feed system, Kenya can help farmers improve productivity, reduce costs and enhance the sector’s overall competitiveness. This, in turn, will enable the country to meet growing domestic demand for fish, while supporting job creation and contributing to food and nutrition security.
Transforming Feed Systems for a Sustainable Future
The future of Kenya’s aquaculture industry depends on solving the feed problem. With demand for fish steadily rising and government initiatives already in place, Kenya is well positioned to strengthen its aquaculture sector. Improving feed systems is key to ensuring that the country’s aquaculture industry can meet domestic demand, create economic opportunities and support a more resilient food system.
Cover photo: Aquaculture training participants during a WorldFish-supported capacity-building course. Strengthening technical skills across the sector is essential to improving feed quality, farm productivity and the long-term growth of aquaculture in Africa. Photo: WorldFish.