Ministry of Trade (MoT) announced Ethiopia earned USD 81.81 Million from the export of live animals during the first six months of the current fiscal year.

303,849 heads of live animals were exported in order for the nation to secure the revenue stated, Amakele Yimam, Public Relations Head at the Ministry, noted.

Nevertheless, the Ministry has missed its target and Amakele blamed illegal trade of live animals for falling short of the target. The target was to export 412,281 heads of live animals and earn USD 106 Million in those six months.

During the first half of the fiscal year, MoT in collaboration with the Federal Police seized 672 live animals that were being smuggled out of the country.

Amakele also explained the Ministry is working with State Administrations to set up and equip the existing 1, 175 market centers with the necessary facility.

Source: Walta Information Center