The State of Meat and Milk Consumption in Ethiopia

Although Ethiopia possesses abundant livestock resources, its per capita meat and milk consumption remains significantly low. Over 50 million people rely on the livestock subsector for their livelihoods. Key challenges hindering higher consumption include low livestock productivity, religious fasting traditions, a lack of adequate cold chain facilities, and poverty. Most rural farmers practice subsistence production, limiting market supply, while urban dwellers face similar consumption challenges. Improving productivity in this sector is essential for broader food security and economic development in the country.