By Abebech Tamene and Tufan Aktas
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Ethiopian meat exports this past fiscal year amounted to almost half of expectations, largely because of a drought plaguing the country, the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries said on Tuesday.
The drought has persisted in pastoral areas of the Oromia, Somali and Afar regional states since 2015 and has severely affected cattle rearing.
Ministry spokesman Abraham Tesfaye told Anadolu Agency: “The plan was to export 38,000 tons of meat to various countries during the reported period.”
However, Tesfaye added: “The performance stood at 19,779 tons, which is almost 50 percent of the plan due to the drought and other related matters.”
The country earned only $100.23 million from the exports during the 2016/17 fiscal year that ended July 7, the official said.
Messeret Adugna, general manager of the Ethiopian Livestock Exporters’ Association, told Anadolu Agency that one of the causes of the decrease in the amount of meat exported was contraband.
According to the UN and aid organizations, more than 11 million people in East Africa are facing starvation.