Ethiopia’s Livestock Development Institute has announced that the country generated USD 43 million from the export of animal products over the past five months. The revenue marks a 60% increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting the growing significance of the sector in the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
During this period, Ethiopia exported 8,500 metric tons of animal products, including camel milk, meat, honey, and wax, to markets across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Europe, North America, and Far East Asia.
Dr. Sahlu Mulu, Deputy Director General of the Institute, emphasized that the improved revenue is the result of ongoing efforts to enhance animal breeds and provide industries with the necessary inputs for processing animal products. He also credited professional support for pastoralists as a critical factor in boosting production and efficiency.
The Institute reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening these efforts, ensuring that Ethiopia continues to capitalize on its livestock potential to meet the growing global demand for animal products and sustain its export growth trajectory.
In similar news, Ethiopia’s leather industry has generated USD 10.5 million in foreign exchange earnings over the past five months, according to the Leather and Leather Products Industry Research and Development Center.
The Center’s Director-General, Zulfiker Abajihad, credited the success to national efforts to leverage Ethiopia’s vast livestock resources for high-quality, branded leather products, coupled with effective promotion and market linkages. Despite the progress, Zulfiker highlighted ongoing challenges in the sector, including underperforming factories, inadequate branding, market access issues, and limited input supplies.
Ethiopia, home to Africa’s largest cattle population, produces 41 million hides and skins annually, yet the leather sector continues to underperform. Factors such as low productivity, outdated technology, and capacity limitations have hampered its ability to meet its full potential as a significant source of foreign exchange and employment.
In October, Ethiopia launched a 10-year Leather Sector Development Strategy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry, to address these challenges and position the country as a major global exporter of leather and leather products.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency and the Ethiopian Herald
