Agriculture in Ethiopia - The Ethiopian American

Photo by Omer RediEthiopian Camels Strut to ExportMarkets Despite ChallengesBy Elias GebreselassieTefera Hailu (MD), a veterinarianturned businessman,is adamant with what hesees as opportunities in thelivestock export business.He says the business he has been in forthe last 17 years is strutting to a goodprospect despite tough challenges withthe export of camels one area of hope.His company, Tefera Hailu PLC, exportssheep, goats, camels and cattle.“In the just concluded Ethiopian fiscalyear 2012/13, we exported about $2.5million worth of camel, which accountsfor about 35 percent of our total livestockexport,” Tefera said. “But this is far belowthe potential.”The major export destinations are Libya,Saudi Arabia and Egypt, while the placesof origin for camels are parts of Oromiaand Somali Region with preferences fortypes of camels also determining theirdestination. Big camels are destined toEgypt while the medium ones go to Libyaand the smallest ones to Saudi Arabia.Tefera’s optimism for business on camelsis not without a reason. Official data, forexample, shows compared to the country’shuge potential in this sector, the current exportis just the tip of the iceberg. In fact it isoften reported that the country is endowedwith a huge livestock reserve ranking 10thin the world and first in Africa.The Central Statistical Agency (CSA)report for the just concluded budget yearstates that there are about 54 million cattle,25.5 million sheep, 24.6 million goatsand nearly a million camels.About 60 percent of Ethiopia’s landmassis covered by pastoralist areas, even thoughthey represent only 11 percent of its population.Despite the potential, Ethiopia’s oonly earning from cattle export reached is$155 million in the same year, according tothe Ministry of Trade (MoT).MoT figures show during the 12 months,camel exports were about $39 million,accounting for 25 percent of the total revenuefrom livestock exports to the MiddleEast and North Africa (MENA) region.The top importer of camels from Ethiopiawas Egypt followed by Djibouti, Sudan,Somalia, Libya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabiaand United Arab Emirates, in that order.Kelifa Hussein, Director of Live Animal,Hide and Skin Marketing Directorate atMoT stated that camel exports duringthe last fiscal year was only 48 and 59percent of the target in terms of quantityand monetary earnings. He attributedthis shortfall to economic hardships facedin Sudan - a major buyer of Ethiopiancamels - illegal flow of livestock to neighboringcountries, lack of awareness on thebenefits of the sector, lack of internationalstandard quarantine center and outdatedand too long marketing chain.“For the past year and half, we haveundertaken a sector study involvingall stakeholders, and prepared a draftproclamation,” said Kelifa adding thatthe proclamation has made its way to theCouncil of Ministers, and is expected to beratified by parliament next year.There are two proclamations currently- one on Rawhide and Skin Trade and asecond on Live Animal Trade - with aparticular desire to streamline the livestockand associated sectors, stop illicit flows oflivestock and improve qualityKelifa, however, reiterated that his ministryand other responsible Ethiopian governmentinstitutions are not waiting for theproclamations to be ratified to act on issuesin the industry. For example, five quarantinecenters in areas bordering with neighboringcountries are under construction,www.theethiopianamerican.com 09