The UK has sealed a new export opportunity to Kenya for sheep and goat genetics worth around £700,000 a year, showcasing British livestock innovation and strengthening trade relations in a growing African market
The UK government has successfully opened up Kenya’s livestock genetics market to British sheep and goat breeders, securing an estimated £ 700,000 per year in export deals. This move highlights the global demand for UK-bred genetics, underpinned by advanced research, resilience, and diversity in British livestock. It marks a significant step in expanding the country’s agricultural trade footprint.
UK: A leader in livestock genetic research
UK sheep and goat breeders have gained access to Kenya’s estimated 46 million-strong livestock market after the UK Government agreed to a deal on exporting genetic material. This process involves the extraction and preservation of genetic material from high-quality breeding stock in the UK, which is then transported to Kenya for breeding purposes. The agreement will help address Kenya’s growing need for high-quality breeding stock as the country works to improve food sufficiency.
The UK has been a hub for genetics research, with unique technologies such as advanced breeding techniques and methodologies like genomic selection, which make livestock genetics highly sought after globally for their diversity, resilience, and quality. These technologies and methodologies have been instrumental in the UK breeding stock forming the basis for over 70% of the world’s poultry, and UK bovine genetics being exported to every continent, providing access to more than 100 countries.
Minister for Food Security Dame Angela Eagle said: “UK livestock genetics have earned a global reputation for excellence, with countries around the world seeking out our breeding stock to strengthen their agricultural sectors and improve food security.
It was a pleasure to meet with our agri-attachés last week and hear firsthand about the excellent work they are doing to champion UK agriculture worldwide.
This new opportunity with Kenya demonstrates the global demand for the high quality that defines UK agriculture. This is precisely the kind of international collaboration that strengthens both our agricultural sector and our trading relationships worldwide as part of our Plan for Change.”
Supporting the global demands of quality breeding stock
The UK livestock genetic market is in high demand, with UK rams derived from imported embryos selling for record prices in Argentina. Meanwhile, UK pig breeders have pioneered the use of frozen semen to export high-quality genetics to countries affected by African swine fever.
These latest trade agreements with Kenya present a significant economic opportunity for premium poultry and livestock to meet the growing global demand for quality breeding stock.
Marcus Bates, Industry Chair UK Export Certification Partnership, said: “The network that we have built up through partnership working is now delivering outstanding results for UK livestock genetics exporters.
Industry funding from companies and levy boards is matched with the support of the Market Access and Veterinary Trade Facilitation teams, and now with the support of the agri-attachés worldwide, we are able to compete with the USA and some EU countries, which have been using agri-attachés for many years.”
Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive, British Poultry Council, said: “70% of the world’s poultry is rooted in high-value UK breeding stock, an export industry estimate is worth £320 million. Combined with full traceability, renowned standards, and strong trade opportunities, British poultry genetics are key to global food security.
Our trade attachés play a vital role in that success, championing British poultry meat worldwide. Since 2024, they have kept food trade moving during periods of avian influenza, secured various regionalisation agreements, and have opened Turkmenistan for high-value genetics worth a quarter of a million pounds – ensuring British poultry continues to reach people around the world. We look forward to continuing our close work together.”
