The Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute (EMDIDI) said that it has been aiming to secure more than US$12mn by exporting meat to the UAE and Saudi Arabia during this Islamic fasting month of Ramadan
In a statement to the Ethiopian Herald, Khalifa Hussein, deputy director-general of EMDIDI, said, “We are increasing our normal operation of 1,500 tonnes of monthly meat export to Dubai and Saudi Arabian market to over 2,600 tonnes and set to obtain over US$12mn USD in this fasting month.”
With the demand for meat rising during the month of Ramadan, the EMDIDI is closely monitoring the capacity of the abattoirs, livestock and transport system in the country, while setting the export target for the UAE, the Middle East and Saudi Arabia.
Hussein further added that the EMDIDI has entered into agreement with the Ethiopian Airlines and Fly Emirates, in order to arrange additional flights to export fresh meat during Ramadan.
Ethiopia exports around 60 per cent of its total meat export to the UAE, and around 38 per cent to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. EMDIDI stated that the rest of meat is exported to other Middle Eastern countries.
EMDIDI estimated that Ethiopia secured US$84.1mn during the last ten months of the current fiscal year from meat exports.
Hussein emphasised that the institution has been working with various stakeholders in the country with an aim to maintain the leading position of Ethiopia in exporting fresh goat and sheep meat to the UAE and Saudi markets.
In addition, EMDIDI has been looking forward to waging various promotional activities in the meat importing countries.
He noted that EMDIDI has also been paying attention to secure an uninterrupted supply of goat meat in the Middle East market, aiming to ensure the availability of meat during the month of Ramadan.
“Attention has been given to enhance the link between animal suppliers and export abattoirs to supplement the possible shortage,” Hussein added.
