Saudi Lifts Ban on Livestock From Somalia

Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on livestock imports from Somalia, paving the way for export of livestock to the Middle East nation.

Saudi Arabia, formerly the biggest buyer of Somali livestock, lifted the two-year ban this week to secure meat supplies from Somalia, according to Somali ministry for Livestock.

Saudi Arabia imports 80% of Somalia’s livestock, which sail from the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, Mogadishu and other towns.

Sheikh Nur Mohamed Hassan, Minister Livestock who spoke to media on Monday said the livestock trade will officially be back in business as Saudi Arabia lifted the ban imposed on livestock from Somalia.

“Our livestock trade with Saudi Arabia will be resumed soon. This will be an opportunity for the traders as well as the whole country as livestock is the backbone of our economy,” Hassan said.

Animal exports account for 40 per cent of Somalia’s Gross Domestic Product.

The Middle East is the main export destination with other Asian countries accounting for very small portions of the trade

The Middle Eastern country banned imports in December 2016, saying it had detected disease in the Somali livestock.