Milk supplies have tightened in parts of Kenya as processors receive fewer deliveries and some retailers report low stocks of fresh milk amid dry, cold weather in key dairy-producing areas. The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) said the disruption is temporary and seasonal, and that milk remains available. Formal deliveries to processors fell 3.7 per cent, from 84.4 million litres in June 2026 to 81.3 million litres in July, according to KDB figures. Preliminary indications suggest deliveries fell further in August as difficult production conditions continued. Some retailers have reported low stocks, limited availability of certain brands and pack sizes, and delays in replenishment. Pasteurised milk has been most affected, while longer-life products such as UHT and extended-shelf-life (ESL) milk remain more widely available.

KDB attributed the supply constraints mainly to dry and cold conditions in major milk-producing areas. The weather has reduced pasture and fodder availability, putting pressure on farmers and lowering milk yields. Where commercial feed is costly or unavailable, farmers may struggle to maintain production. The decline in processor deliveries therefore reflects pressure beginning at farm level and spreading through the dairy supply chain. KDB said the disruption is seasonal rather than evidence of a deeper collapse in Kenya’s dairy industry. The impact is most visible in some supermarkets and retail outlets, particularly those selling fresh pasteurised milk. Reports from Nairobi have shown sparsely stocked shelves and limits on the quantity some customers can buy. Availability varies by outlet, brand and pack size, with longer-life milk generally easier to find.

KDB has acknowledged some price increases in areas facing tighter supplies, although it said retail prices have generally remained stable. Processors rely on regular farm collections to maintain packaged-milk supplies. When production falls, less raw milk is available for pasteurisation and packaging, affecting distributors, retailers and consumers.The situation also highlights the dairy sector’s vulnerability to weather. For farmers with limited access to irrigation or affordable feed, prolonged dry conditions can quickly reduce output and put further pressure on supplies and prices.

KDB expects conditions to improve when rainfall restores pasture and fodder in milk-producing areas. The October-November-December 2026 rainfall season could support a recovery in production if rains perform as expected. Until then, farmers and processors will have to manage reduced supplies and feed and water challenges. The government and regulators will monitor prices and stock levels to determine whether the disruption is easing or spreading. KDB has not described the situation as a nationwide milk shortage. It says milk remains available, although supplies vary by region, brand and product type. Consumers are therefore more likely to face difficulty finding particular fresh-milk products, occasional purchase limits and price increases in some areas than a complete absence of milk.

If rainfall improves pasture and fodder availability, deliveries to processors should recover. If dry conditions persist, pressure on supplies and prices could continue. For now, Kenya’s dairy market is facing a seasonal supply squeeze, while the KDB maintains that the disruption is temporary and the supply chain remains operational.