East Africa’s animal feed market, spanning aquaculture and agriculture, is undergoing a transformative phase. As the region experiences a surge in population and urbanization, the demand for meat, fish, and dairy products is on the rise. To meet this growing appetite, stakeholders in the region’s animal feed industry are seizing new opportunities while tackling bottlenecks. From sustainability concerns to market consolidation to ingredient sourcing, this dynamic sector is witnessing a myriad of challenges and advancements. Over the years, stakeholders have realised the imperative of embracing sustainable practices for long-term success.

Bottlenecks and sustainability concerns

In East Africa, one of the primary bottlenecks faced by the animal feed market is the scarcity of locally sourced, high-quality raw materials. Traditional feed ingredients like maize and soybean meal are in high demand, resulting in price fluctuations and over-dependence on imports. This issue not only strains the region’s foreign exchange reserves but also highlights the urgent need to shift towards sustainable food systems that promote local sourcing and reduce environmental impact.

New innovative companies such as InsectiPro have to address these challenges, introducing insect-based protein as a viable alternative in animal feed formulations. Side-stepping from the dependency on imports, this is an extensive contribution to the viability of a sustainable local-for-local animal feed chain while improving the livestock and aquaculture chains’ performance.

Opportunities in aquaculture

East Africa’s vibrant aquaculture industry presents a unique opportunity for animal feed manufacturers. With significant untapped potential in fish farming, the demand for specialized feed products has risen. Leading players in this space, such as Tunga Nutrition, have quickly identified this opportunity and tailored their product offerings accordingly.

Tunga Nutrition, a joint venture between Skretting and Unga Farm Care East Africa Ltd., is seizing the opportunities in East Africa by offering quality aquaculture feeds that cater to the nutritional needs of various fish species. By incorporating ingredients like Black Soldier Fly and plant-based proteins, Tunga ensures optimal growth and health of farmed fish, while simultaneously addressing concerns about the sustainability of fish feed ingredients. Such strategic partnerships increase access to advanced international technologies and expertise.

East Africa’s animal feed market is witnessing a gradual shift towards sustainable food systems, stimulated by increased collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. This collaboration is fostering the development of feed milling practices which ultimately benefit local farmers.

Poised for growth

East Africa’s animal feed market is witnessing both bottlenecks and promising opportunities. The scarcity of locally sourced, high-quality raw materials remains a challenge, but innovative companies are introducing sustainable alternatives such as insect-based proteins.

While challenges persist, East Africa’s animal feed market is poised for growth. By embracing sustainable practices, fostering innovation, and   (such as local milling with local products, increasing feed quality to boost the livestock and aquaculture sector, developing quality standards, training farmers to increase uptake of quality feed, regional knowledge sharing to support sustainable sector development, trials to proof concepts), the region can meet the rising demand for high-quality animal products while ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for its farmers.