Livestock and Livestock Products and By-Product Trade in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

In Ethiopia livestock are economic and social importance at household and national level in addition to significant contribution of export earnings. The country has at an advantageous position in production and possessing of different products and by-products due to high and diverse number of livestock as compared to other African countries. Pastoral area of the country is the sole supplier for both formal and informal live animal and meat exports. The livestock are marketed from the major producing areas reaches to the final consumer passing through complex channels along the supply chains involving various actors. Despite fluctuations over years, the formal  exports of meat (7,717 to16, 500 tonnes) and live animals (163,000 to 680,000 head) have significantly increased in between 2006/7 and 2012/13. However, all most all live animals (85%) are exported illegally smuggled to neighbouring countries of Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and the Sudan, using illegal trade routes and re-export to Middle East. Consequently, the Ethiopian government has lost substantial market share and foreign exchange.  Lack of exporting routes and ports, illegal live animal trade, shortage of live animals and lack of appropriate breeding policy are some of the major challenges that hinder the smooth livestock trade of Ethiopia.

Keywords: live animals, meat, trade