Egypt imports livestock from Somalia and Djibouti to confront high meat prices

Egypt imports livestock from Somalia and Djibouti to confront high meat prices

 Egypt is set to import large quantities of livestock from Somalia and Djibouti to combat high meat prices and address the general shortage in the market, according to the head of the African Livestock Importers Association. Ahmed Hassan Hafez, President of the African Livestock Importers Association, pointed out that the plan seeks to achieve stability in local market prices and ensure a stable supply of meat throughout the year.

Hafez stated that the quantities expected to enter Egypt each month from Somalia and Djibouti range between 15 to 25 thousand heads of goats and sheep, which will be entered through the Safaga region, where the veterinary quarries affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture are located and are equipped for immediate slaughter.

Egypt's annual consumption of meat amounts to about 2.5 million heads, with a large production deficit of at least 30%. Reliance on Somalia and Djibouti for livestock imports represents a noticeable shift in the Egyptian import strategy, which was previously focused largely on Sudan.

Somalia's livestock sector, which represents more than 70% of the country's exports, is expected to benefit greatly from this new demand. The value of trade between Egypt and Somalia increased to $56.3 million during the first 11 months of 2023, compared to $44.5 million in the same period in 2022, an increase of 26.5%.