Uganda to resume exportation of meat to Saudi Arabia after 22 years ban

Uganda meat exporters have received a huge boost after Saudi Arabia deciding to lift a ban imposed 2001 on meat imports from Uganda.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority said the decision to end the ban came after reaching a pact on health and technical terms and approving health certificates between the kingdom and Uganda on importing meat of cows, sheep, goats and their products.

In 2001, Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on meat imports from African countries, including Uganda, due to an outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral ailment that affects cattle.

Worldwide, there is increase in the demand for livestock products arising from the global trend towards higher population, higher incomes and increasing urbanization.

Over the past 50 years, meat production has more than tripled and the world now produces more than 340 million tonnes each year.

The OECD-FAO highlights a projection of growth in global meat supply to over 374 Mt by 2030 and growth in global consumption of meat proteins over the next decade to increase by 14% by 2030 compared to the base period average of 2018-2020, driven largely by income and population growth.

Protein availability from beef, pork, poultry, and sheep meat is also projected to grow 5.9%, 13.1%, 17.8% and 15.7% respectively by the year 2030.

There is a growing preference for organic meat and meat products raised on natural Pastures. Uganda with abundant grazing rangelands is well positioned to supply this premium market if the export requirements are met.

Some of the countries such as  United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt have also expressed interest in Ugandan meat. The consumption of meat in Egypt is 560,000 MT while the production is 300,000MT; leaving a deficit of 260,000MT (Data Based on Post PS&Ds Numbers 2015).