Ethiopia Stepping Up Measures to Boost Livestock Export Revenue – Minister

Addis Ababa, December 15, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to increase revenue from its livestock export trade through coordinated actions across the sector, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe (PhD) said.

The minister noted that the government is working closely with relevant stakeholders to expand export earnings from livestock and other sectors, underscoring the need for determined action to strengthen foreign exchange inflows by fully utilizing the country’s resource potential and exporting quality products.

He said priority is being given to modernizing the livestock trade chain as part of broader measures aimed at increasing export revenue.

Despite Ethiopia’s vast livestock population, he indicated that returns from the sector remain low, citing illegal live animal trade as a major challenge.

To address this, the Ministry is constructing modern livestock trading centers in various parts of the country.

According to the minister, trading centers currently under construction in Oromia, Somali and Afar regions have reached about 75 percent completion and are expected to be finalized and become operational within the next two months.

He added that additional modern livestock trading centers are also being built in Oromia, South Ethiopia, Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’, Somali and Afar regions as part of the nationwide effort to upgrade the sector.

The minister called on all concerned stakeholders to contribute to improving productivity and modernizing the livestock trade system in order to increase export revenue and foreign exchange earnings.