Somalia exports 5.3 million animals, 6% growth in 2015

Somalia exported 5.3 million animals with annual growth of  6 percent increase following the exportation of live animals to Gulf nations which became the country’s leading foreign exchange earner in 2015, latest data by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicated.

In 2015, Somalia exported 4.9 million goats and sheep, 295,000 cattle and 72,000 camels, putting an estimated USD 384 million into Somali livestock owners’ pockets.

In press statement released on Thursdays FAO said the livestock sector continues to offer significant growth potential, boosted by continued livelihood, and export-focused interventions, good prices and growing markets in the Middle East. Livestock contributes 40 percent to the Somalia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Somalia saw increased demand in 2015 for lives animals in the Gulf mainly due to increased investment in animal health services by FAO and other organizations, which is key condition imposed by the importing countries,” said Khalid Saeed the head of FAO’s livestock sector in Somalia.

“Obviously we are delighted by these figures” says Said Hussein Iid, Somalia’s Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range.

“But there is still so much more to be done to grow this sector, both domestically and in terms of exports” the Minister continues.

“We need to diversity into new markets, make sure that livestock have good year round access to high quality fodder and continue to build a national system for managing animal health across the whole of Somalia” said Iid.

Last year, more than 2,600 Somali camels were sold to Egypt, the first time since the outbreak of conflict in Somalia some 25 years ago.

Saudi Arabia continued to be a key market for Somali livestock and future expansion of the Hajj, when Muslims slaughter animals to celebrate Eid Al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice”, means good business for Somalia.