De Heus Animal Nutrition has inaugurated a new feed production facility in Athi River, Kenya, with an annual capacity of 240,000 metric tons. The USD 23 million-investment strengthens the company’s footprint in East Africa and adds substantial industrial feed capacity to the Kenyan livestock sector. The move reflects growing competition and long-term confidence in Africa’s animal nutrition market. 

Dutch feed company De Heus Animal Nutrition has officially opened a large-scale animal feed plant in Athi River, Machakos County, marking one of the most significant recent investments in Kenya’s compound feed industry. With an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons, the facility is expected to supply poultry, pig and cattle producers across the country.

The project represents an investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million). The scale of the plant is notable for Kenya’s livestock sector, where consistent access to quality feed remains a key constraint on productivity and cost efficiency. Expanded domestic production capacity may help reduce supply volatility and improve formulation standards.

Co de Heus
De Heus Chairman

The company stated that technical expertise from its African operations supported construction and commissioning, alongside local workforce participation. De Heus Chairman Co de Heus said the company aims to combine global expertise with local market knowledge to support farmer productivity.

The Kenya facility follows recent investments including an aquafeed plant in Uganda and a second livestock feed factory in Ivory Coast, underscoring intensifying competition and consolidation trends in Sub-Saharan Africa’s feed market.

Kenya’s livestock sector contributes roughly 12% to national GDP and plays a central role in food security and rural livelihoods, making feed industry investments strategically significant for long-term agricultural growth.