Macroeconomic Reforms Drive Significant Increase in Livestock Export Earnings

Addis Ababa, June 12, 2025 (ENA) - The Ethiopian Livestock Development Institute (ELDI) has announced a substantial boost in foreign exchange earnings from livestock production, attributing the growth to recent macroeconomic reforms.

The Institute reported generating over 100 million US dollars in the first 10 months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year.

Asrat Tera, Director General of ELDI, told ENA that the institute is on track to achieve its target of 122 million US dollars in revenue from exports of meat, slaughter by-products, honey, fat and wax products, as well as milk and dairy products by the end of this Ethiopian budget year.

He detailed that the country earned 100.23 million US dollars from livestock exports during the first 10 months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year, marking a 28 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

 

According to Asrat, 98 percent of this revenue was derived from the export of meat from sheep, goats, cattle, and camels, with the remaining earnings generated from honey, camel milk, and poultry products.

The Director General attributed this significant growth in foreign exchange earnings to a combination of targeted sectoral measures and broader macroeconomic reforms.

He highlighted the increase from 63.2 million US dollars in the same period of the previous fiscal year to 100.23 million US dollars as clear evidence of these efforts' positive impact.

The shift from illegal livestock exports to legal export slaughterhouses, alongside the narrowing gap between black market and official exchange rates, have been key contributors to the sector’s improved performance, he added.

 

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are  the primary importers of Ethiopian livestock and animal products.

Efforts are ongoing to connect traders and cooperatives directly with slaughterhouses to ensure a steady supply of animals for export, he noted, highlighting the introduction of a contract breeding system, which facilitates agreements between export-oriented slaughterhouses and pastoralist communities to collaboratively increase livestock supply.

As part of a pilot initiative, 120 pastoralists in South Omo have already engaged in this contract breeding system. Based on the success of this pilot, the approach will be scaled up and implemented in other regions.

The Institute is also actively working to enhance the sector’s overall benefits by promoting improved livestock breeds and establishing a healthier, more efficient breeding system, he added.