Meat prices soar as shortage hits Taita Taveta

A kilo of cow and goat meat goes for Sh600 to Sh500, respectively in most parts of Taita Taveta. [iStockphoto]

An acute shortage of meat has hit some parts of Taita-Taveta County.

Traders interviewed Wednesday said that meat prices continue to rise following a shortage of goats and cows due to a recent drought that ravaged the county.

Kenneth Zenge, who operates a butcher in Wundanyi town, said there are fewer animals in Taita Hills, the county's main livestock-rearing area.

Mr Zenge said there was an increase in the number of traders from Kajiado Makueni, Machakos, and Nairobi who were buying livestock from local farmers at higher prices for restocking.

"Local farmers now prefer traders from outside who pay them handsomely for their animals. This has caused a huge shortage in the area" said Mr Zenge on Wednesday.

A spot check by The Standard revealed that most butchers in Wundanyi and its environs have run out of meat stock. The shortage has also seen an increase in the price of milk.

A kilo of cow and goat meat goes for Sh600 to Sh500, respectively, in most parts of Taita Taveta compared to between Sh800 to Sh1,000 in neighbouring counties.

A litre of milk in Wundanyi town goes for between Sh70-Sh80 while it costs Sh100 in Voi town, said Job Mwakesi, a farmer.

A drought report shows that the average market price of a two-year-old goat was recorded at Sh4,500, the same as the previous month.