Every week, butterfly farmers along Kenya’s Coast gather at Kipepeo House in Gedi, near the Arabuko-Sokoke forest, to deliver butterfly pupae destined for export. For many, this trade has provided sustainable livelihoods for decades while promoting biodiversity conservation.
However, Kenya’s butterfly farmers are now facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change has disrupted the delicate balance needed for butterfly farming, leading to reduced populations and lower export volumes. Farmers report an increase in pupae being attacked by parasites, largely due to shifting weather patterns. Extreme rainfall creates favorable conditions for pests, while prolonged drought toughens the fruit trees that butterflies depend on, making it difficult for them to thrive.
Butterflies require a balanced environment of sunshine and moderate rain to pupate successfully. In recent years, farmers have resorted to irrigating their greenhouses and cooling rearing environments to counter drought and rising temperatures. Despite these efforts, losses remain high, and the unpredictability of the weather continues to threaten the trade.
Beyond climate challenges, Kenya butterfly farmers are grappling with shrinking markets. Previously, pupae were exported to multiple destinations across Europe and the US, but today exports are limited to a single European market. This has left farmers with excess stock and reduced income despite global demand for butterflies in exhibitions, gardens, and nature-based tourism events.
High shipping costs add another layer of difficulty. Before the pandemic, farmers relied on direct flights, but increased airfreight prices and irregular schedules have forced them to use alternative airlines, complicating logistics. Given that butterflies must be delivered within 24 hours to remain viable, even minor delays can result in huge losses.
Kenya remains one of the leading exporters of butterflies globally, but sustaining this position requires urgent support. Diversification into emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East could open new opportunities, especially in countries investing heavily in eco-tourism.
Butterfly farming has long been a unique example of how conservation and community livelihoods can align. Yet without intervention, the combined threats of climate change, high costs, and limited market access risk collapsing an industry that has supported coastal communities for generations. Expanding markets, improving logistics, and investing in adaptive measures are critical steps to secure the future of Kenya butterfly farmers and protect the biodiversity they depend on.
