Livestock export in Sudan ongoing despite conflict: official

August 20, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan has so far exported 2.7 million heads of cattle this year, the Animal Resources and Fisheries ministry disclosed.

“Livestock export to Saudi Arabia and other countries continued despite the war circumstances,” the ministry’s Undersecretary Hasan Mugrari said in a statement.

He added that to make up for the suspension of exports from Khartoum state due to the war, the ministry has set up slaughterhouses in other states to export meat.

Pastoralist in Sudan rear large numbers of cattle, camels, sheep as well as goats.

The country, the Animal Resources and Fisheries ministry said, exports large numbers of live animals, mainly sheep to Saudi Arabia and camels to Egypt. It also exports chilled and frozen meat, mainly to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States and Egypt

Statistics from Sudan’s Animal Production Research Center shows that the country has about 107 million heads of cattle. Livestock contributes to more than 25% of Sudan’s export revenues and over 20% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (SAF) has killed over 3,000 civilians and displaced nearly 3 million, according to United Nations amid concerns that up to 25 million people need humanitarian aid and protection.

(ST)