What to Farm in Kilifi County: Crops, Livestock and Profit
Kilifi ranks 5th for cowpeas and 8th for broilers among Kenya's counties. Below is everything the latest national figures record there.
Where Kilifi Leads Kenya
Rank 1 means the biggest producer or herd among counties that report the product.
Cowpeas
5,725 tonnes
5th of 37 counties
10,007 ha · 0.6 t per ha · 3.6% of Kenya
Green grams (ndengu)
2,778 tonnes
9th of 33 counties
9,260 ha · 0.3 t per ha · 1.6% of Kenya
Maize
81,813 tonnes
17th of 47 counties
95,674 ha · 0.9 t per ha · 2.1% of Kenya
Beef cattle
236,893 animals
23rd of 47 counties
1.4% of Kenya
Meat goats
473,290 animals
21st of 47 counties
1.4% of Kenya
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Shares compare Kilifi with all of Kenya. Counties report figures to the national team and some years swing sharply.
Crops Grown in Kilifi: 2023 Figures
Area, output and yield for every crop the national report records in Kilifi.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Output | Yield (t per ha) | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Not given | 129 bales of lint | Not given | 9th of 21 | 1.8% |
| Cowpeas | 10,007 | 5,725 t | 0.6 | 5th of 37 | 3.6% |
| Green grams (ndengu) | 9,260 | 2,778 t | 0.3 | 9th of 33 | 1.6% |
| Pigeon peas | 165 | 35 t | 0.2 | 16th of 19 | <0.1% |
| Maize | 95,674 | 81,813 t | 0.9 | 17th of 47 | 2.1% |
| Finger millet | 30 | 24 t | 0.8 | 24th of 27 | <0.1% |
| Sorghum | 243 | 45 t | 0.2 | 36th of 41 | <0.1% |
| Sweet potatoes | 121 | 491 t | 4.1 | 36th of 42 | <0.1% |
| Dry beans | 57 | 19 t | 0.3 | 38th of 39 | <0.1% |
Yield is output divided by area. Coffee is the 2022 to 2023 crop year. Sugar, tea and cotton show processed output.
Livestock and Poultry Kept in Kilifi
Numbers kept in Kilifi in 2023, ranked against other counties.
| Animal or bird | Number kept | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat goats | 473,290 | 21st of 47 | 1.4% |
| Beef cattle | 236,893 | 23rd of 47 | 1.4% |
| Dairy cattle | 31,993 | 30th of 47 | 0.6% |
| Dairy goats | 3,480 | 31st of 47 | 0.6% |
| Hair sheep | 68,084 | 35th of 47 | 0.3% |
| Camels | 2,490 | 16th of 26 | <0.1% |
| Beehives | 18,696 | 27th of 47 | 1.1% |
| Pigs | 2,766 | 27th of 43 | 0.3% |
| Rabbits | 5,123 | 29th of 46 | 0.7% |
| Donkeys | 767 | 39th of 46 | <0.1% |
| Ducks | 84,654 | 1st of 45 | 16.0% |
| Guinea fowl | 8,168 | 3rd of 38 | 9.5% |
| Broilers | 227,010 | 8th of 47 | 4.1% |
| Geese | 10,661 | 8th of 43 | 5.3% |
| Turkeys | 6,299 | 11th of 44 | 2.7% |
| Quails | 340 | 11th of 19 | 1.1% |
| Layers | 82,056 | 17th of 47 | 1.3% |
| Indigenous chicken | 702,740 | 27th of 47 | 1.3% |
When to Plant in Kilifi
Kilifi is in a two-season area. Two seasons. Long rains: plant March to April, harvest July to August. Short rains: plant October to November, harvest February to March.
Blocks show the usual months.
Source: FEWS NET Kenya country book, citing a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Rain onset is erratic, so planting can stretch from March to May. Windows suit crops of 4 to 7 months. Altitude changes the pattern inside a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Five-Year Trends in Kilifi
Output of the leading products since 2019. Bars compare years, and the dark bar is the latest.
Cowpeas
Up 116% since 2019
tonnes
Maize
Up 79% since 2019
tonnes
Green grams (ndengu)
Down 4% since 2019
tonnes
Sweet potatoes
Down 74% since 2019
tonnes
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Counties report these figures and they can swing from year to year. Read the direction, not one year.
The Main Products in Kilifi
A short read on each of the five strongest products, with the numbers behind it.
Cowpeas
In 2023 Kilifi produced 5,725 tonnes of cowpeas. That ranks 5th of 37 counties and gives 3.6% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 10,007 ha, a yield of 0.6 t per ha. That is about 14% below the national average of 0.7. Output rose 116% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April and October to November. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Broilers
Kilifi recorded about 227,010 broilers in 2023. That ranks 8th of 47 counties and gives 4.1% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Green grams (ndengu)
In 2023 Kilifi produced 2,778 tonnes of green grams. That ranks 9th of 33 counties and gives 1.6% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 9,260 ha, a yield of 0.3 t per ha. That is about 51% below the national average of 0.6. Output fell 4% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April and October to November. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Maize
In 2023 Kilifi produced 81,813 tonnes of maize. That ranks 17th of 47 counties and gives 2.1% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 95,674 ha, a yield of 0.9 t per ha. That is about 48% below the national average of 1.6. Output rose 79% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April and October to November. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Other leading counties: Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Narok.
Beef cattle
Kilifi recorded about 236,893 beef cattle in 2023. That ranks 23rd of 47 counties and gives 1.4% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Where to Sell in Kilifi
Buyers, factories and markets to check first. Each one is a lead, not a promise.
Confirm before delivering. Every name here is a lead from a research directory compiled on 8 November 2026. Operators, catchments and rules change. We have not checked each one.
How to find a buyer in Kilifi
- Check farm gate and wholesale prices on KAMIS. It covers five markets in every county.
- Ask the county cooperative officer which registered societies buy your product.
- Visit the buyer first. Ask for the grade, price, payment date and who pays transport.
- Start with one small delivery before you commit your harvest.
Dairy
Dairy outlets listed for Kilifi:
- Buzeki Kilifi cooling centre
- Malindi Milk Products (confirm current status)
Access: many outlets take milk only from registered members or suppliers. Ask about membership and price before you deliver.
Fish
Landing points: Malindi, Mtwapa, Watamu and landing site networks.
Processors listed:
- Agri-Marine and Organics Company Ltd (Mtwapa)
- Ndune Kenya Ltd (Kikambala)
- Seithmar Enterprises Ltd
Grain and pulses
National buyers and channels:
- National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots
- Unga Group
- Pembe Flour Mills
- Mombasa Maize Millers
- Capwell Industries
- Kitui Flour Mills
Confirm grades, bag sizes and payment terms before you deliver.
Know a buyer or a market in Kilifi that should be listed? Tell us on WhatsApp. Please send the business name, product, location and how farmers can sell to it.
Priority Value Chains in Kilifi
The national strategy backs these products in Kilifi. Open a guide to see how each one is farmed.
Rain and Soil in Kilifi County
Kilifi is in the Coast zone of the national strategy. These notes describe the whole zone, not one farm.
- Crops the zone favours
- Maize, sorghum, millet, cashews and mangoes.
- Livestock and fish
- Poultry, plus sea fish, crabs, prawns and shellfish.
- Rain and soil
- Two seasons of moderate rain. A mix of sandy and fertile soils.
- Farming households
- About 0.3 million farming households
- Typical rainfall
- 600 to 1,200 mm
- Typical farm size
- 1 to 10 acres
- Typical household income
- under KES 10,000 a month
Income, farm size and rainfall are 2019 strategy estimates. Read the AEZ guide to see how zones are set.
Test the Profit of Kilifi’s Top Products
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What These Figures Do Not Show
Fruit and vegetables
The report has no county figures for tomatoes, avocados or onions. Check local buyers first.
Fish
Fish output is reported by lake and sea, not by county. See the fish guide.
Your ward
Soil and rain change inside a county. Ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Your profit
Output is not profit. Run your own costs in the profit calculator.
Questions About Farming in Kilifi
What crops grow best in Kilifi County?
Kilifi ranks 5th for cowpeas and 8th for broilers. The biggest crop areas are maize (95,674 ha), cowpeas (10,007 ha), green grams (9,260 ha).
Which livestock is common in Kilifi County?
Kilifi ranks 1st for ducks, 3rd for guinea fowl, 8th for geese. The table above lists every animal and bird recorded.
Which fruits, vegetables and fish suit Kilifi County?
The national report has no county figures for these. See the strategy list for Kilifi above, then check local buyers and water.
What agro-ecological zone is Kilifi County in?
The national strategy places Kilifi in the Coast zone. Our AEZ guide explains how zones, rain and soil shape what you can grow.
How do I work out profit in Kilifi County?
Open the farm profit calculator, choose your product, then enter your acres, yield and local price.
Does this cover my sub-county or ward?
No. The national figures stop at county level. Soil and rain change across a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Where do the figures come from?
The KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024 is the source. Figures are for 2023, and coffee uses crop year 2022 to 2023.
Ask About Farming in Kilifi
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Plan, Fund and Scale Your Farm in Kilifi
Farm business plan
A costed plan for your acreage, market and cash flow. Banks and Saccos ask for one. Ask for a quote.
Finance for your farm
Learn what lenders ask for, which securities they accept and how to apply. We can help you prepare.
County agribusiness brief
For banks, programmes, investors and county teams. A short paid brief on Kilifi: products, buyers, risks and gaps.
About This Page
Updated 8 November 2026. Production figures are 2023 data from the national report. Buyer and season notes were compiled on the same date.
How we made this page
County output, area and rank come from the KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Rank compares Kilifi with the counties that report the product. Yield is output divided by area. Trend charts use the same report’s five-year tables.
Planting seasons follow the FEWS NET Kenya country book, which cites a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Zone details come from the 2019 national strategy (ASTGS), explained in our AEZ guide.
Buyer names come from four sources. One is third-party research for Agcenture. The others are the Coffee Directorate Year Book, Brookside’s supplier page and the Kenya Dairy Board register. Prices come from KAMIS. We have not verified each buyer. Tell us if something is wrong.
Written and maintained by the Agcenture editorial team. Report a correction on WhatsApp.
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