Quality Meat Packers officials during the expansion plan launch /HANDOUT
Kenya’s Quality Meat Packers (QMP) has clinched new markets in the Gulf region and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The firm is partnering with retailer Lulu Hypermarket and Nesto Group to penetrate Dubai and Riyadh, while simultaneously setting foot into central Africa’s fast-growing markets through Kin Marché supermarkets in eastern DRC, with sights firmly set on the capital, Kinshasa.
“This partnership is more than just exporting meat; it’s about putting a Kenyan brand on the global stage,” said Diamond Velji, the managing director of QMP, in a press statement.
“Lulu and Nesto give us a bridge to millions of households across the Gulf, while our entry into the DRC allows us to tap into one of Africa’s fastest-growing consumer markets. It’s a dual strategy. Regional and international, and an opportunity we intend to maximise.”
Founded in 1970, QMP built its reputation as a market-leading supplier to hotels, restaurants, and airlines in Kenya and East Africa.
Until now, most of its exports have focused on supplying meat cuts to niche buyers in the Middle East. However, the current expansion marks a dramatic shift: QMP is no longer selling only raw products but has invested heavily in value-added lines to appeal to modern consumers.
The Gulf States are among the world’s top food importers, relying on foreign suppliers for up to 85 per cent of their needs.
Rising incomes, rapid urbanisation, and a multicultural population have created strong demand for both traditional HALAL cuts and ready-to-eat products.
Lulu Hypermarket, based in Abu Dhabi, operates more than 250 stores in the Gulf region and manages one of the most powerful modern retail networks in the area.
Nesto, headquartered in Sharjah, has more than 130 outlets across the GCC. Together, they dominate grocery retail in the Gulf.
Breaded snacks and oriental foods, already popular in Kenya, will also be rolled out to target an ambitious $30 million (Sh3.9 billion) sales goal by the end of 2026.
“Consumers in the Gulf want both tradition and innovation,” Imtiaz Velji, the CEO, told The Star.
While the Gulf expansion has drawn significant attention, QMP is equally enthusiastic about its entry into the DRC, where demand for branded food products in urban areas is surging.
The DRC’s food sector depends heavily on imports due to limited domestic processing capacity.
QMP’s entry promises to offer a reliable supply of packaged, HALAL-certified meats just as a growing middle class fuels rising demand.
This move reflects Kenya’s wider ambitions to diversify its agricultural exports.
Kenya's total meat and meat product exports were valued at approximately $99.6 million (Sh12.9 billion) in 2024, an increase of 29 per cent from the previous year.
Historically known for tea, coffee, and horticulture, Kenya has lagged behind neighbors like Ethiopia and Sudan in meat exports. QMP aims to change this dynamic.
