Rabbit farmers line up Sh1.2 bn processing plant

Rabbit farmers from Central and Rift Valley regions plan to set up a Sh1.2 billion processing factory, a move that is will enable them sell more in the local market and export.

The factory to be located in Kiambu County will have a slaughterhouse, a packaging section and a refrigerated- truck to transport products.

Bernard Kimani, the chairman of the 800 rabbit breeders who are behind the plan, said the high demand for meat which one farmer cannot fulfil and the stringent public health rules has forced them to set up a factory.

“We are struggling to access both the local and international markets owing to tough procurement rules and the only way out is to establish structures for our budding cottage industry,” Mr Kimani said.

Lucy Ndung’u, a member, also said some farmers are getting rabbit meat orders of 1,000 kilogrammes per week, but individually they cannot cope though a processing plant can easily meet the demand.

The factory will likely start processing rabbit meat by December this year, said Mr Kimani.

The members will meet 20 per cent of the total budget with the rest being sourced from the government, financial institutions and Constituency Development Funds.

Kenyan rabbit farmers have been locked out of local and international markets due to failure to adhere to public health and environmental safety demands. 

“Our clients say they will only accept rabbit meat that has been certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and Public Health Officer as safe for human consumption,” Mr Kimani said, adding that this will now easy as an officer can visit the factory to assess the meat as opposed to visiting individual farmers which in most cases is impossible.

Supermarkets also demand that farmers meet the cost of freezing and canning for the rabbit meat products and also establish slaughterhouses that are certified by National Environment Management Authority. 

“To effectively qualify, we have seen the necessity of coming together so as through cost sharing we can meet those demands,” he said. 

Breeders say demand for rabbit meat is growing and local farmers are struggling to supply.

Ms Ndung’u says she has been receiving tenders from Safari Park Hotel, Tuskys and Naivas Supermarkets to supply the outlets with 1,500 kg of rabbit meat per week, but she has not been able to cope.

She says the proposed plant will help the breeders realise their potential enabling them jointly venture into the market.

The Ministry of Livestock Development says the factory will boost rabbit rearing and promised to support the project.

Daniel Kipleel Borter, an officer at the ministry’s rabbit development office, said the project will be given technical support and breeders trained on market trends.

But Mr Borter says the market is likely to face supply hitches as breeders are charging high prices for rabbits to rare.

“Farmers are selling their rabbits on average at between Sh2,000 and Sh4,000 with some selling at as high as Sh10,000 for a rabbit,” he said

Kenyan breeders have missed opportunities in the export market owing to huge volumes required and the stringent safety regulations that can only be realised through establishment of such certified facilities and increase of breeders.