Kenya Dairy Board Assures Public Amid Seasonal Decline in Milk Supplies
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2 – The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has reassured consumers and industry stakeholders that milk remains available in the market despite temporary supply constraints currently affecting several parts of the country.
The assurance comes on the heels of a drop in formal milk deliveries to processors, which fell by 3.7 per cent from 84.4 million litres in June 2026 to 81.3 million litres in July 2026.
While official intake figures for August 2026 are still being compiled, preliminary indications suggest a continued decline in deliveries, mirroring seasonal production patterns.
According to recent market surveillance conducted by the KDB, supply disruptions vary across regions.
The board noted lower stock levels, reduced availability of specific brands and pack sizes, and slower shelf replenishment in select retail outlets.
The impact has been unevenly distributed across different milk products:
Pasteurised Fresh Milk: Experiencing the highest impact, leading to occasional shortages on store shelves.
Long-Life Milk (ESL and UHT): Remaining comparatively more available to meet consumer demand.
Retail Prices: Generally stable across the country, though slight upward price movements have been recorded in areas facing stricter supply bottlenecks.
KDB attributed the current tightness in supply primarily to seasonal weather conditions, notably the dry and cold spells prevailing in key milk-producing zones.
However, relief is expected in the coming months.
The outlook for the October–December 2026 rainfall season points toward a strong recovery in pasture and fodder availability, which will boost raw milk production and restore steady supply lines.
To buffer the sector against future weather shocks, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is executing long-term interventions to enhance the dairy value chain’s resilience.
Key measures include: Milk Aggregation and Preservation: Procuring and distributing milk coolers across counties to minimize spoilage and boost collection capacity.
Herd Improvement: Providing subsidized sexed semen to farmers to optimize herd genetics and increase long-term yields.
The Board reiterated that it will maintain close oversight of formal deliveries, market availability, and retail price movements while collaborating with dairy processors to ensure supply continuity through the seasonal slump.
