• Ethiopia generated USD 62 million from meat exports in the first six months of the fiscal year.

• Exporters shipped about 11,000 tons, below the 12,000-ton six-month target.

• Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates remained primary export destinations.

• Qatar agreed to resume meat imports starting during Ramadan after suspension.

• Industry reported USD 57 million earnings from 11,000 tons, below the USD 62 million target.

• Meat Producers and Exporters Association cited limited investment in feed and by-product processing.

• Endemic livestock diseases restrict access to United States and Asian markets due to certification requirements.

Why it matters?
Meat exports generated up to USD 62 million in six months but missed volume and revenue targets. Feed instability, disease control gaps, and market access barriers continue affecting export performance and foreign currency earnings.

• Ethiopia and Qatar finalized talks to restart meat exports after a prolonged suspension. 

• Restart of meat exports is scheduled ahead of the holy period (Ramadan). 

• The export suspension preceded the new agreement. 

• Qatar is confirmed as a destination market for Ethiopian meat trade. 

• No export volumes, values, or dates were disclosed in the announcement. 

Why it matters?
Resumption of bilateral meat trade restores a previously halted export channel. Timing aligns with an upcoming high-demand period, potentially affecting Ethiopian livestock exporters.