Nairobi | July 2025 – Dutch animal nutrition company De Heus is set to expand its footprint in East Africa with the launch of a Ksh3 billion animal feed plant in Athi River, Nairobi, focused on supporting dairy, poultry, and swine farming. The facility, expected to go operational in the second half of 2025, will produce 200,000 metric tonnes of high-quality livestock feed annually.
This strategic investment is a part of De Heus’s broader plan to strengthen agricultural systems in emerging markets, including India and Uganda, with a focus on improving feed access, nutritional quality, and farmer support.
🥛 Boost to Kenya’s Dairy Sector
Kenya’s dairy farmers, who often struggle with inconsistent feed quality and volatile pricing, stand to benefit significantly. De Heus aims to raise its market share in Kenya’s feed sector from 2% to 3.5% by the end of 2025, focusing heavily on ruminant nutrition to help farmers increase milk yields and lower production costs.
The feed formulas will adhere to international standards such as ISO 22000 while leveraging locally sourced raw materials to boost rural sourcing and enhance supply chain resilience.
“This facility is more than a production site—it’s a resource for the farmer,” said a De Heus spokesperson. “From sustainable sourcing to farmer education, we’re here to power progress across Kenya’s livestock sector.”
🏭 Infrastructure and Economic Impact
The project includes:
- A raw material warehouse (to be completed by late 2024)
- ISO-certified production lines
- Sustainability-driven operations
It is expected to create 250 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs, with spillover effects across Nairobi, Machakos, and surrounding rural areas.
👨🌾 Farmer Training and Knowledge Support
De Heus is going beyond just feed production. The company will offer on-ground training through its 25+ distribution centers and field specialists. Farmers will receive guidance on:
- Dairy animal nutrition
- Feed conversion efficiency
- Disease prevention
- Profit-focused livestock management
These programs are designed to tackle common challenges, such as nutrient imbalances in concentrates and erratic supply pricing—issues faced by farmers like Joyce Otela, who transitioned to poultry and struggled with feed costs.
🌍 Strengthening the Dutch–Kenya Agri-Partnership
This investment also reinforces the growing agricultural ties between Kenya and the Netherlands, blending global innovation with local farming needs. The move supports food security, rural livelihoods, and positions De Heus Kenya as a key player in East Africa’s livestock nutrition landscape.
With this launch, De Heus is not only targeting growth—it is delivering precision nutrition and progress to the doorsteps of smallholder and commercial farmers alike.
