TZ records rise of 10,415 tonnes of meat exports, House told

KATARE MBASHIRU, HENRY LYIMO IN DODOMAJune 24, 2023

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TANZANIA recorded a rise of 10,415 tonnes of meat exports worth 42.5 million US dollars (over 100bn/-) in 2021/2022, according to the Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development, David Silinde.

Mr Silinde gave the figures on Friday when responding to a question posed by Moshi Urban Lawmaker, Priscus Tarimo (CCM).

In his main question, the legislator wanted to know how much percentage did the meat sector export outside the country between 2021 and 2022, as well as the government’s strategies in strengthening the sector.

Responding, the deputy minister said the figures during 2021/2022 had gone up compared to exports during the corresponding period in 2020/2021 where the country exported 1,774.29 tonnes of meat worth 4.3 million US dollars. An increment in 2021/22 was equivalent to 492 per cent according to Mr Silinde.

The deputy minister insisted that the government was continuing intensifying measures to improve the meat sub-sector including attracting investment in putting up modern slaughter houses which were meeting the international standards.

“Until now, we have six modern abattoirs which are accredited to sell meat outside the country. He named the abattoirs as Alpha Choice, Chobo Investment, Tanchoice Limited, Elia Food Overseas Limited, Dodoma Abattoirs, and Nguru Hill Limited.

He added that the government was continuously been improving business environment, noting further that the government had equally reduced unnecessary levies and taxes that were frustrating investment in the sector.

When presenting the 2023/2024 budget, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega said that Tanzania reported a rise of 5,511.81 tonnes of meat exports worth 15.630 million US dollars (about 36.73bn/-), over the time.

Mr Ulega said by April 30, 2023, the country had exported 12,243.79 tonnes of meat worth 51.895 million US dollars (about 121.95bn/-).

“When compared to 8,877.8 tonnes worth 36.265 million US dollars (about 85.222bn/-), an increment equals 43.1 per cent as of April 2023,” he said.

According to him, the export includes 457.59 tonnes of beef, 8,689.80 tonnes of goat meat, 2,969.20 tonnes of sheep, 2.10 tonnes of chicken meat, 2.40 tonnes of pork and 122.70 tonnes of other meat.

Mr Ulega attributed the increase to the massive efforts made by the sixth phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan in improving the business environment and attracting investment.

Other factors that led to the increment were the positive response of farmers’ mobilisation for livestock harvests instead of hording large quantities of domestic animals.

“These efforts have enabled the country to get meat markets in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Kenya, and Comoro,” he said.