Ethiopia’s increasing meat and by-products exports are significantly driven by its expanded offerings. The country now exports 21 different types of offal, such as liver, heart, kidney, and tongue, in addition to traditional meat cuts. This diversification has created specialised market opportunities, particularly in the Middle East, where these offal products are highly valued as delicacies and are integral to traditional dishes. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to be Ethiopia’s primary markets, representing the majority of these sales.

For many African meat producers, exporting by-products has historically been an overlooked opportunity, with widespread discarding or underutilisation. Ethiopia, however, is now adopting strategies akin to leading meat exporters like Brazil and Australia. In these countries, by-products can account for as much as 25–30% of total export revenue. By maximising the use of the entire animal, Ethiopia is not only improving its export margins but also significantly reducing waste—a crucial advancement for a sector that has historically faced profitability challenges.

Strategic Reforms Driving Growth

Asrat Tera, Director General of the LDI, attributes this growth not just to increased herd numbers, but to comprehensive reforms. Ethiopia has focused on developing superior animal breeds that offer improved feed conversion ratios and higher carcass yields. This strategic development is crucial for meeting the stringent quality standards of high-value markets, which prioritise consistent meat texture, fat distribution, and size.

Professional training for farmers, abattoir workers, and veterinary professionals has been expanded, leading to improved animal handling and a reduction in post-slaughter contamination, which was a significant hurdle for exports previously. Furthermore, Ethiopia’s sanitary standards now more closely align with international benchmarks due to stringent quality control measures. This strategy emulates Namibia’s successful approach, where adherence to European Union (EU) health standards has enabled access to premium markets and higher prices.

Competitiveness in a Changing Market

Ethiopia holds a competitive edge in meat and by-product exports due to its close proximity to primary markets, mainly Gulf countries. This geographical advantage significantly reduces shipping times to under five days, ensuring fresher, higher-quality perishable products like chilled meat upon arrival, unlike longer transit periods from South America or Australia. This efficiency fosters greater buyer loyalty despite strong competition from other suppliers such as Sudan, Kenya, and India.

The global demand for halal-certified meat is increasing, particularly in the Middle East. The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment projects an annual growth of 7–8% in halal meat imports for the Gulf region through 2025. This surge is attributed to population growth and evolving consumption habits. Ethiopia is well-positioned to meet this demand due to its emphasis on halal-compliant processing.

Challenges and Next Steps

Ethiopia’s livestock sector, despite its robust performance, continues to grapple with substantial limitations. Recurrent outbreaks of animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), frequently disrupt supply chains. Furthermore, the underdeveloped state of cold chain logistics hinders Ethiopia’s capacity to expand into distant, high-value markets like the EU and East Asia.

To address these challenges, Ethiopia needs to prioritise investments in disease surveillance systems, refrigerated transportation, and modern slaughterhouses. Additionally, Ethiopia could benefit from pursuing preferential trade agreements to lower tariff barriers for its meat exports, drawing inspiration from Botswana’s successful strategy of leveraging EU trade relations to secure consistent market access.

Ethiopia’s meat quality and animal growth rates are susceptible to fluctuating feed costs due to the underdeveloped state of its domestic livestock feed production. Boosting local feed production through private sector collaborations could stabilise supply and enhance competitiveness.

Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

Ethiopia’s meat and by-products export sector is set for continued expansion, especially if it diversifies beyond its current Gulf markets. Promising avenues include the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, which have substantial halal consumer populations. Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity for Ethiopia to supply processed meat products to urban centers in West and Central Africa, where increasing incomes are fueling protein demand.

By maintaining its current reform momentum, prioritising disease control, enhancing logistics, and forging stronger trade partnerships, Ethiopia has the potential to significantly increase its meat and by-products export earnings. The US$120 million achieved in the previous fiscal year could serve as a foundation for exceeding US$200 million in annual revenue within the next five years. With its strategic focus on boosting productivity, maximizing by-product utilisation, and diversifying markets, Ethiopia is well-positioned to become a leading African meat exporter in the 2020s.

Written By: 

*Dr Iqbal Survé

Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN

*Sesona Mdlokovana  

Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group 

African Specialist

**The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.

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