BEEFYImporting chilled meat from Kenya, step by step
Kenyan carcasses fly. From slaughter to your cold room is a matter of days, not weeks, which is why we ship chilled rather than frozen.
- EnquiryTell us the species, carcass weight, quantity and destination airport.
- QuotationPriced per kg, FOB Nairobi (JKIA) or with air freight on a separate line.
- Order and depositOrder confirmed; slaughter date fixed to the flight.
- Halal slaughterAt an SFDA-approved Kenyan export abattoir, veterinary-inspected.
- Chilling and packingChilled to about 1 °C, wrapped in white cloth, weighed and labelled.
- FlightExport clearance at JKIA, loaded in cold chain, documents sent before landing.
How the price is quoted
Every quotation is per kg of carcass weight, FOB Nairobi (JKIA). Air freight to your airport is a separate line at the day's rate, or you book it in your own name.
Three things move the price: the season, because Gulf demand peaks in Ramadan and the Hajj season; the carcass weight band you ask for; and the volume, a single trial shipment or a weekly programme. Ask for today's price with your species, weight band, quantity and airport.
- Price
- Per kg of carcass weight, FOB Nairobi (JKIA). Air freight to your airport on a separate line at the day's rate.
- Minimum
- From about 1 MT per shipment for a trial; weekly programmes from 5 MT.
- Lead time
- Usually 7–10 days from deposit to landing, depending on flight space.
- Payment
- Deposit on confirmation and balance before the air waybill is released, or a confirmed letter of credit.
- Documents
- Halal certificate, veterinary health certificate, certificate of origin, invoice, packing list and air waybill.
- Insurance
- Cargo insurance to the destination airport arranged on request.
To the Gulf in 4–5 hours.
- 4 hNairobi to Jeddah (JED)
- 5 hNairobi to Riyadh (RUH)
- 5–5½ hNairobi to Dubai (DXB)
- 5 h 10Nairobi to Doha (DOH)
Chilled, not frozen.
- −2 to +2 °Cchilling after slaughter, 18–24 h
- ≈ 1 °Cstorage and transit
- 10–13 daysshelf life of lamb and mutton carcasses at 0–2 °C
Other Gulf markets
- Saudi Arabia14.5% of Kenya's goat and sheep meat exports went to Saudi Arabia in 2023
- UAE59% of Kenya's goat and sheep meat exports went to the UAE in 2023
- Kuwait8.3% of Kenya's goat and sheep meat exports in 2023, and with the UAE the main buyer of Kenya's chilled beef carcasses.
- Bahrain12.7% of Kenya's goat and sheep meat exports in 2023.
- QatarNairobi to Doha is about 5 h 10 by air. Chilled carcasses quoted on request.
- Oman2.7% of Kenya's goat and sheep meat exports in 2023.
Questions importers ask.
How is the price of Kenyan meat quoted?
Per kg of carcass weight, FOB Nairobi (JKIA), with air freight to your airport on a separate line at the day's rate. The price moves with the season, the carcass weight band and the volume.
Do you ship frozen meat by sea?
Our standard is chilled carcasses by air. Frozen product by sea container can be arranged for larger programmes; ask for a quotation.
Which countries can you export to?
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and other markets that accept Kenyan meat with SFDA/GSO-style certification. Tell us the destination and we will confirm the documents.
What is the minimum order?
Air freight is booked per shipment. We quote from about 1 MT for a trial and from 5 MT per week for regular supply.
How long from order to delivery?
Typically 7–10 days from a confirmed order and deposit to landing, depending on flight space; the carcass itself is 2–3 days old on arrival.
Can you cut and pack instead of whole carcasses?
Whole carcasses and beef sides are standard. Six-way cuts and vacuum-packed primals can be quoted on request.
Sources: Flight times: FlightsFrom, Cleartrip; cold chain: FAO, SFDA, CSIRO.; TrendEconomy (HS 0204, 2023).