Somalia’s Livestock Exports Poised to Surpass Sh129 Billion in 2024

• Oct 21, 2025

Somalia’s livestock exports are on track to exceed $1 billion (Sh129.2 billion) this year, driven by booming demand from Gulf nations and reduced competition from traditional suppliers like Australia and Sudan. The growth marks a major milestone for a country long reliant on livestock as its main source of foreign income.

Government data shows that Somalia’s livestock earnings nearly doubled from $523 million (Sh67.6 billion) in 2021 to $974 million (Sh125.8 billion) in 2024. The rise comes as the sector benefits from regional shifts, including Australia’s decision to phase out live sheep exports and the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, which has disrupted one of Africa’s major livestock economies.

Qaasim Abdi Moallim, Director of Animal Health at Somalia’s Ministry of Livestock, said favourable market conditions have allowed the country to expand its share of the global livestock trade. “This allowed Somalia to take advantage of the situation and accelerate its livestock exports,” Moallim said in a statement reported by Bloomberg.

Sudan’s civil war, now in its second year, has severely affected trade routes and livestock production, while Australia has significantly scaled back live-animal shipments—exporting just 652,000 sheep in 2022–23, compared to 5.9 million two decades ago. These developments have opened up fresh opportunities for Somalia, whose proximity to Gulf markets makes it a key supplier.

Saudi Arabia, one of the largest importers, bought live animals worth $715 million (Sh92.4 billion) in 2023, with Somali traders supplying a major portion, according to the Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker.

Somalia currently has an estimated 57 million livestock—including camels, cattle, goats, and sheep—and exports between four and six million animals each year. Despite decades of insecurity, the livestock trade remains the backbone of Somalia’s economy, supporting millions of herders and traders across the country.

Agriculture Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir said the sector’s strong performance has been supported by better animal health standards, wider market access, and new digital tracking systems designed to meet Gulf import requirements.

If projections hold, livestock exports will earn more than twice the government’s domestic revenue of about $430 million and significantly bolster the national budget of $1.36 billion (Sh175.7 billion), which still depends heavily on donor support.

Experts, however, caution that sustaining this momentum will require stronger regulation, better infrastructure, and greater investment in climate resilience to protect herders and ensure long-term stability in the livestock industry.