Tanzania’s Meat Export Sector Sees Strong Growth

Tanzania’s meat industry is showing robust progress as the country edges closer to its export targets for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has reported a 5.75 percent increase in meat exports, marking another stride in the country’s bid to diversify foreign exchange earnings.

Between July 2024 and April 2025, Tanzania exported 9,863.41 tonnes of meat, up from 9,326.3 tonnes during the same period the previous year. The value of these exports rose to $44.07 million, compared to $39.3 million in the 2023/24 financial year.

Delivering the update in Parliament while tabling her ministry’s TSh476.66 billion budget for 2025/26, Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, noted that the current performance reflects 89.9 percent of the annual export target of 10,971 tonnes.

“This sector remains critical for our economy, especially in creating jobs and increasing trade volume with global partners,” Dr. Kijaji emphasized.

The breakdown of Tanzania’s meat exports reveals continued dominance of goat meat, which accounted for 6,380.63 tonnes — about 65 percent of total exports. Other exports included:

Mutton – 2,104.85 tonnes
Beef – 1,150.54 tonnes
Chicken meat – 199.61 tonnes
Pork – 27.83 tonnes

Tanzania’s meat finds strong demand in regional and overseas markets, particularly in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and neighboring Kenya. Trade with Saudi Arabia alone has more than doubled over two years, rising from $6 million to $12 million.

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This export growth reflects the success of government strategies under the Livestock Master Plan and Tanzania’s broader Vision 2025, which aims to transform agriculture and livestock into high-output, commercially viable sectors.

Key focus areas for the sector include:

Breed improvement
Expansion of pasturelands and water access
Enhanced veterinary services
Reduction of post-harvest losses from 40% to 5% by 2030
Compliance with international food safety standards

Tanzania has also strengthened partnerships with global organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to enhance livestock productivity and food quality, ensuring that export products meet the criteria for Halal certification and traceability.

If sustained, this momentum positions Tanzania as a rising player in the global meat trade, with potential to contribute significantly to GDP, food security, and job creation.