Dar es Salaam. Arab countries constitute a significant portion of foreign markets driving growth in Tanzania’s meat industry, with exports surging by 41.1 percent to $86.31 million (Sh220.52 billion) last year.
According to a new 2023 State of the Economy report, the country exported 14,701.2 metric tonnes of meat last year, compared to 10,416.0 metric tonnes of meat valued at $42.5 million (Sh98.9 billion) that was exported in the preceding year.
“The increase in meat exports was due to improved business and investment environments as well as strengthened meat markets in countries such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Kenya, and Comoros,” the report read in part.
In contrast, the leather business slowed down last year, as 4,933 metric tonnes of leather pieces were exported compared to 7,472 metric tonnes in 2022.
During this period, leather piece exports were valued at Sh6.11 billion compared to Sh10.05 billion in 2022, a decrease of 39.2 percent. Export destinations for leather include Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Pakistan.
“This decline was caused by some traders halting leather exports to Nigeria due to the general elections in that country, which accounts for over 90 percent of Tanzania’s leather exports,” the report stated.
During his address at the parliament on June 13, 2024, the minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Prof Kitila Mkumbo, also noted that the government will review the system for selling agricultural, livestock, and forestry products to simplify and enable the business environment in rural areas.
“The government plans also to create special conditions to attract the construction of small industries in rural areas to initiate primary processing in strategic sectors, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry,” he said.
Furthermore, the expansion of domestic meat processing industries in Tanzania has substantially bolstered the trade in live animals, resulting in a significant reduction in the export of live animals.
According to a report, while the domestic livestock market almost doubled at 99.8 percent, the value of live animal exports has dipped by 28.8 percent.
The report showed that in 2023, the domestic livestock market was valued at Sh3.47 trillion, higher than Sh1.74 trillion in the preceding month. A total of 2,957,724 cattle, 2,554,266 goats, and 273,982 sheep were traded in the market.
In 2022, there was trading involving 2,194,937 cattle, 1,879,623 goats, and 201,610 sheep.
In contrast, the export market for live animals saw a decline; last year, it involved 20,536 cattle and 37,157 goats and sheep, valued at Sh44.4 billion. That was a decrease from 23,356 cattle and 39,951 goats valued at Sh62.4 billion that were traded in 2022.
The report highlighted that the decline in live animal exports is attributed to the increase in domestic meat production for export and the government’s efforts to seek new international markets for processed meat.
“The expansion of local meat processing industries aimed at export, coupled with government initiatives to find new markets abroad, such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE (Dubai), Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Kenya, and Comoros, has shifted the focus from exporting live animals to exporting processed meat,” the report read.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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