Meru Central eyes dairy Comoros Market

KENYA – Meru Central Dairy Union has stepped up efforts to expand its international market after receiving a high-level delegation from Comoros to explore opportunities for increasing the supply of Kenyan milk products to the island nation.

The delegation, led by Comoros Consul General Abdou Mouigni, visited the Union to trace the source and processing of milk exported to Comoros and discuss ways of strengthening the existing business relationship between the two countries.

Speaking during the visit, Mouigni said there were significant opportunities for collaboration between Kenya and Comoros in agriculture, livestock, dairy and other business sectors.

He said the visit marked the beginning of a stronger relationship that would benefit both countries through increased trade and exchange of experiences.

He added that the delegation was particularly impressed by the scale of the farmer-owned enterprise and expressed optimism that the partnership would grow, adding that the Union’s products had gained recognition in the Comoros market.

Meru Central Dairy Union Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Gitonga said the Union had been supplying milk to Comoros for about six months and was optimistic that the visit would lead to increased orders.

He noted that the Union was ready to expand its business with Comoros but faced temporary milk supply challenges attributed to changing climatic conditions.

Additionally, he said plans were underway to establish a direct shipping arrangement between Kenya and Comoros, which would facilitate the transport of milk products directly to the island nation.

The growing export market is expected to provide an additional outlet for milk produced by farmers affiliated with the Union while strengthening Kenya’s position in the regional and international dairy market.

The Union’s management said it would continue working with its farmers to enhance milk production and quality to meet both domestic and export demand.

Meru Dairy Cooperative increases farm milk price, inaugurates new feed mill

Recently, the cooperative announced that the farm-gate price of milk will now be US$0.40, alongside the commissioning of Phase I of the Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill at Mitunguu to significantly reduce the cost of animal feeds.

The newly commissioned feed mill will supply quality dairy feed to members of Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union at KSh 1,800 per 50kg bag, down from the current market price of KSh 2,200–2,300, significantly lowering production costs and increasing farmers’ earnings.

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