Rabbit market in Kenya – Marketing process is most important part of rabbit farming in Kenya. Basically, there are no formal markets for selling rabbit products so far like chickens, goats or fish. But rabbit meat slaughter houses are coming up due to the high popularity and increasing demands of rabbit meat.
Rabbit market in Kenya
Currently, hundreds of people are keeping rabbits, and others are considering to join the trade because they have heard the animals fetch good returns. Well, for rabbit farmers and those aspiring to join the trade, the market is huge.
The following organisations are key markets for rabbits and rabbit meat. They are:-
Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (Rabak):- Rabak is an organisation that offers market for rabbits. The organisation liaises with the Ministry of Livestock in Thika to buy and slaughter the animals. RABAK was started to promote food security, generate wealth & employment for farmers and the larger community. The organisation is currently supplying Rabbit Meat to Uchumi Supermarket chain at an average of 2 Tonnes monthly.
Rabak, which deals in a variety of rabbit breeds that include Ear Lope or French Lope, New Zealand White, California White, Dutch, Chinchilla, Flemish Giant and Angora.
Rabak’s headquarters is housed in Thika West District Livestock Production Office. It serves farmers from Nairobi and Thika. They also offer training on all aspects of rabbit farming that include production, how to set up a rabbit farm, cage construction, farming levels, market and diseases once every month.
Alcare Group:- Alcare Group is another organisation that buys rabbits. The company works with rabbit owners in 24 counties in Kenya. These are Kiambu, Kajiado, Migori, Bomet, Machakos, Vihiga, Nakuru, Murang’a, Nyamira, Kakamega, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu, Kitui, Bugoma, Trans Nzoia, Isiolo, Kericho, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Malindi, Mombasa and Kilifi.
They offer training to the farmers, and then sell the farmers a stock of eight rabbits, of which six are female and they have been served (inseminated). In about four months, each of the female rabbits produces about eight bunnies and then they buy them.
Rabbit Republic:- Rabbit Republic also buys rabbits from farmers. They buy the animals and supply rabbit meat to hotels in Nairobi. They sell to farmers their hybrid rabbits and train them on the best feeds and hygiene procedures. They then buy their bunnies. Rabbit Republic, which is based in Hurlingham, Nairobi works with farmers in the city and Mombasa. They pick the rabbits from farmers.
Rabbit Republic also buy rabbit skin and fur for making bags and shoes, although this is on small-scale.
Kenya Com Rabbit Consortium Ltd:- This is an organisation that offers farmers market for rabbits’ by-products, mainly urine, which they use to make fertiliser. To start selling urine to the organisation, one needs at least 20 rabbits. The fertiliser is a mixture of the rabbit urine and compost manure made from cow dung, wood ash, and foliage from plants. The mixture is put in a special digester and what comes out is an organic fertiliser called Rabbit Urine Extra.
Rabbit market in Kenya – Other Rabbit Meat markets
Both Locally and Internationally:- in local markets, restaurants and supermarkets. Rabbit meat has a huge demand in China and some other countries. So, if you have sufficient facilities then try to export to foreign countries.
Directly to customers and/or to butcheries:- There are also many people who keep rabbits as pets that would benefit from your rabbits. Schools are also a good place to sell your rabbits as most students look for activities to do in their school clubs, and rabbit keeping does not inconvenience them.
Internet marketing:- Internet marketing is a tool that Kenyan rabbit farmers should not ignore. It is relatively cheap and it brings great results that will enable you to continue to benefit from your rabbit farming business.
Problems facing rabbit market in Kenya
Every business goes with some problems. Don’t fear about marketing your products. Formal markets are not available right now. But the rabbit meat popularity and consuming rate is increasing rapidly. And a suitable market place is coming up soon. So, for earning some extra income, start commercial rabbit farming in Kenya.
Rabbit market in Kenya – Future of Rabbit Rearing
The future of rabbit farming is great in Kenya. When done well, rabbit farming has the potential to change livelihoods and employ many Kenyans.