By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Addis Ababa, 5 September 2026 - Ethiopia earned $128.3 million from livestock exports in the 2025-26 fiscal year, up more than 35% from about $95 million a year earlier, the state-run Ethiopian News Agency reported Friday.
The increase shows the sector's potential, but earnings could reach at least $1 billion, Livestock Development Institute Director General Asrat Tera said.
Speaking at a linkage negotiation and contract-signing forum, Asrat said a shortage of consistent livestock supply is one of the sector's main challenges.
Ethiopia has 12 export abattoirs operating at only 10% of their combined 200,000 metric-ton capacity, he said.
The government plans to raise utilization to 50% in 2026-27, targeting about 46,000 metric tons of meat and meat products and more than $250 million in revenue.
Achieving that will depend on overcoming supply constraints, Asrat said.
He stressed systematic supply-chain management and stronger partnerships among pastoralists, live-animal traders and export abattoirs to ensure reliable supply and increase value addition.
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Deputy Director General Sahilu Mulu said the government is also working to strengthen the broader value chain by expanding meat-processing capacity for domestic and international markets.
Over the past two weeks, three field teams were deployed to the Somali Region, South Ethiopia Regional State, southern Oromia and the Afar Region to engage stakeholders in production, aggregation and marketing.
Ethiopian Meat Producers and Exporters Association President Kelifa Hussein announced a pilot arrangement allowing livestock suppliers in the Somali Region and Borana to deliver animals directly to export facilities.
The initiative aims to cut intermediaries, reduce transaction costs, improve competitiveness and ensure traders and pastoralists receive more direct benefits, he said.
The association said it would assess the pilot and provide additional support, including logistics and financing, to sustain the model.
The forum brought together export abattoir operators and leaders of the Somali Region and Borana Livestock Traders Associations, who signed agreements to strengthen commercial ties and formalize market linkages.