Quality Meat Packers (QMP), a well-known Kenyan meat processing company, has officially entered the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) market. The company, which has been in business since 1970, is introducing its wide range of beef, poultry, and processed meat products through a partnership with Kin Marché, one of the country’s notable retail chains.
The rollout began in the Kivu region, where shoppers at Kin Marché supermarkets can now find QMP’s Halal-certified products on the shelves. According to the company, this is just the first step. Plans are already in place to expand distribution to other major areas such as Kinshasa, Katanga, and more provinces in the coming months.
QMP said the move into DRC was made possible through the efforts of the Kin Marché retail team, which has been handling the local distribution. The company believes that having a reliable partner on the ground is key to gaining a foothold in a new market, especially one as large and diverse as DRC.
Founded over five decades ago as a family business, QMP has grown into one of the biggest meat processors in East Africa. The company operates what it describes as the largest slaughterhouse and meat processing facility in Kenya. From sourcing livestock to delivering packaged products to stores, QMP runs a fully integrated operation.
The company’s beef comes from selected ranches in Kenya, ensuring consistent quality. Lamb is sourced from the Molo Highlands, which are known for producing tender meat. Goats are supplied from Kenya’s northeastern region, while chicken products come under the company’s “The Excellent Chicken” brand. Apart from fresh meat, QMP also produces ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat convenience foods like sausages, hamburgers, samosas, and breaded snacks. All of these are Halal-compliant, catering to both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers who prefer Halal meat.
In terms of safety and quality, QMP says its facilities are certified under the Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000), which meets the ISO 22000:2018 standard. This certification covers the full food production process, from slaughtering to packaging. The company also holds export approval from the Kenyan government and meets the regulatory requirements of several Middle Eastern and African countries.
The Halal compliance of QMP products is a major selling point. The company has stressed that no pork, donkey meat, or game meat is involved at any stage of its supply chain. This assurance is crucial for winning trust in markets like DRC, where a significant number of consumers prefer Halal-certified foods.
One of QMP’s strengths is its vertically integrated model. The company controls its own livestock harvesting, manufacturing, and delivery systems. A dedicated cold chain network, with refrigerated trucks, ensures that meat products maintain freshness from the plant to the store shelves. This is particularly important in markets where long distances and hot climates can pose challenges to food quality.
For QMP, the entry into DRC is part of a bigger plan to expand across Africa and beyond. In recent years, the company has been targeting both African and Middle Eastern markets, responding to the growing demand for high-quality, Halal-certified meat. The DRC is seen as a strategic location because of its large population, growing urban centres, and increasing middle-class consumers who are willing to pay for reliable, safe, and well-packaged meat products.
Kin Marché has not revealed the expected sales numbers or the financial terms of the deal with QMP. However, the partnership is expected to give QMP direct access to DRC consumers through well-established supermarket outlets. This could also create opportunities for QMP to introduce more product varieties in the future as consumer demand grows.
The company’s management has hinted that more market entries are coming soon, saying that demand for Halal meat is rising in many African cities and peri-urban areas. With its experience, capacity, and quality control systems, QMP believes it is in a strong position to take advantage of this demand.
As the first rollout in Kivu progresses, industry observers will be watching to see how well QMP can establish its brand in the competitive DRC market. Success here could serve as a springboard for further expansion across Central Africa, making QMP one of the key players in the region’s meat industry.
