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Tanzania’s meat exports rise by 5.75 percent to $44 million
What you need to know:
- The growth in both volume and earnings comes as the government intensifies efforts to boost foreign exchange through the livestock sector.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has recorded a steady 5.75 percent increase in meat exports in the current financial year, rising from 9,326.3 tonnes to 9,863.41 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
The growth in both volume and earnings comes as the government intensifies efforts to boost foreign exchange through the livestock sector.
Livestock and Fisheries Minister, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, revealed the development in Parliament recently while tabling the Sh476.66 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year.
Dr Kijaji told the House that by April 2025, the country had exported 9,863.41 tonnes of meat—equivalent to 89.9 percent of the annual target of 10,971 tonnes.
She said the exports were valued at $44.07 million, up from 9,326.3 tonnes worth $39.3 million recorded during the same period in the 2023/24 fiscal year—an annual increase of 5.75 percent.
“The exports comprised 6,380.63 tonnes of goat meat, 2,104.85 tonnes of mutton, 1,150.54 tonnes of beef, 199.61 tonnes of chicken, and 27.83 tonnes of pork,” she informed the august House.
Goat meat continued to dominate, accounting for 64.69 percent of total exports.
Dr Kijaji attributed the positive trend to ongoing government efforts to expand access to international markets, including the strengthening of bilateral trade relations.
As a result, Tanzanian meat products are now exported to 11 countries: Bahrain, Comoros, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
“The Ministry, through the Meat Board, has continued to coordinate and facilitate meat exports in line with our strategy to enhance the livestock sector’s contribution to national economic growth,” she said.
In a related development, livestock sales at auctions across the country have also risen.
Dr Kijaji said that by April 2025, a total of 3.41 million cattle and 3.33 million goats and sheep had been sold, generating a combined Sh3.7 trillion.
“This compares to 2.96 million cattle and 2.83 million goats and sheep, worth Sh3.4 trillion, sold during the corresponding period in 2023/24,” she added.
She attributed the increase to growing awareness among livestock keepers of the importance of timely off-take to maximise income and maintain herd health.
Dr Kijaji reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the livestock sector into a key pillar of the blue economy and rural development.
