By Staff Writer
Nairobi, Kenya — Ethiopia, home to Africa’s largest cattle and livestock population, has officially begun importing packaged and processed beef from neighboring Uganda. The move follows Uganda’s confirmation that it has completed its first commercial shipment of processed meat to Ethiopia, a development that officials described as an important milestone in efforts to strengthen regional trade.
While state media has portrayed the development as a positive example of regional economic integration, the announcement has sparked questions and concern among some Ethiopians. Critics argue that a country with one of the continent’s largest livestock populations should be expanding its meat exports rather than relying on imported processed beef to meet part of its domestic demand.
The arrival of Ugandan beef has also drawn attention to longstanding challenges within Ethiopia’s livestock sector, particularly in value addition, meat processing, and industrial capacity. Despite its vast livestock resources, the country has struggled to build a modern meat-processing industry capable of consistently supplying high-quality processed meat to both domestic and international markets.
Industry experts say the decision to import processed beef reflects broader structural and policy challenges affecting Ethiopia’s livestock sector. They argue that while the country’s livestock population is among the largest in Africa, investment in processing facilities, cold-chain infrastructure, quality standards, and industrial development has not kept pace with its agricultural potential.
One industry expert told Borkena, “This shipment shows how regional cooperation is working, but it also clearly demonstrates that Ethiopia needs significant reforms in its livestock and processing industries. Without greater investment in meat processing, modern infrastructure, and industry development, Ethiopia may struggle to transform its vast livestock resources into a competitive export sector.”
For now, the arrival of Uganda’s first commercial beef shipment represents both a tangible example of growing regional trade and a reminder of the challenges Ethiopia faces in developing a stronger domestic meat-processing industry. Whether the imports remain temporary or become part of a broader trade relationship may depend on how quickly the country addresses the structural constraints within its livestock sector.
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Such trade between regional nations and the whole continent in general is good news and should be encouraged. Some of these countries have come a long way in their quality, service and safety at world standards. It will also urge domestic producers to improve their own way of making same products. Competition is a positive gift to the consumers. If some of you doubt this, you can ask your commie idols in Beijing and Hanoi.
”The West Has No Idea What’s Coming Out of China’s Factories”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=OwABubzJLS0
The term ‘communisms’ comes from the term ‘community’, most blindly utter the term “commies” with out knowing what it means and stands for, to be fair to them, they have been unknowingly bamboozled by the capitalist’s (they worship) that have no nationhood, & no community concepts except ‘PROFIT’ (RENT) seeking PARASITIC-group…
The 21st century is going to be: The West’s ( & its ‘Banda’ collection’s) “Rip Van Winkle”, moment…
Be well.
It is the USA going “Communist”; while China is the ‘modern’ market economy (-sanctions & freezing assets)…
‘China Just Won the AI Race (But Not How You Think)’
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=2TwEWXO9_S8
Showing the world, how to do it BETTER & FASTER with LESS & put together with SUPERIOR Engineering talent.
Be well.
“China Is About To Pop The AI Bubble”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=siazPdsZHuI
“The end is near” (for US AI Bubble)…
Be well.
“Einar Tangen: China’s Digital Currency & De-Dollarization”
Glenn Diesen
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=aKL8Zp0CKDk
USD $1 trillion = 1 ETB (soon)
(‘Weimar Republic’ coming to USA)
Be well.
“እኔ ከሞትኩ ሳር ዓይብቀል።”
==================
What could possibly go wrong, (TPLF did the same things, filled their pockets with AID $$$…) “እኔ ከሞትኩ ሳር ዓይብቀል።”
Why eat FRESH HOME GROWN MEAT & support local industry to GROW, when you can eat “processed beef from neighboring Uganda” ( perhaps get some $$$ kickback in the process) ? They put Lumumba in acid, while giving NPP for dimwits; like them.
Overview of EU trade deal with West Africa ( designed to kill local industry & DISTROYED small local FARMERS; basically exchanging 1kg of EU onion for 1kg of West African’s GOLD, Uranium.. etc.
Q)
‘EU trade deal with West Africa and what it did to local farmers in West Africa.’
Search Assist:
The EU’s Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with West Africa has faced criticism for its devastating effects on small-scale farmers, as it allows for the influx of cheap EU processed foods, undermining local agriculture and markets. Many farmers struggle to compete, leading to concerns about food security and economic sustainability in the region.
SOURCE : grain.org , European Union
Overview of the EU Trade Deal with West Africa
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The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and West Africa aims to enhance trade and investment between the two regions. However, it has faced significant criticism regarding its impact on local farmers.
Impact on Local Farmers
Negative Effects:
– Increased Competition: The EPA allows for the import of cheap EU processed foods, which undermines local agricultural markets.
– Economic Strain: Small-scale farmers struggle to compete with these imports, leading to reduced income and economic instability.
– Food Security Concerns: The influx of cheaper products can threaten food security as local production diminishes.
Specific Challenges
————————–
Challenge Description
——————————————————————
Market Undermining: Local farmers face competition from subsidized EU products, making it hard to sell their goods.
Economic Sustainability: Many farmers experience declining profits, which affects their livelihoods and community stability.
Food Security Risks: As local agriculture declines, reliance on imports increases, posing risks to food availability.
Conclusion
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The EU’s EPA with West Africa, while intended to foster trade, has had detrimental effects on local farmers. The challenges they face highlight the need for policies that protect and support local agriculture to ensure economic sustainability and food security in the region.
Source: European Union, rtais.wto.org
What is next, buy WATER from Egypt?
(Do not bet, it could happen…)
Be well.
This news now turned out to be false. I just read a story on a website based in the old country with a top official in the agriculture ministry denying the alleged meat import from Uganda. Here is the link:
ethionegari.com/2026/07/10/ethiopia-denies-reports-of-ugandan-processed-beef-imports/
But I am not and will never stand against trade between regional and continental countries.
Now the irony is a report just came out with news of at least 16 Ugandan citizens that died of starvation . Here is the link for that one too:
bbc.com/news/articles/cvgljevwy82o
It is good news it is not true, but the core issue remains be that when 90% of our populations livelihood is dependent in agriculture & livestock to establish trade-deal in these sector is not only creates an existential challenge to the majority of the population but also to the KNOWHOW that has been transferred from generation to the next for millennia… only yo accommodate the CHOICE of the the 1% out of the remaining 10% or so city duelers; is an oxymoron.
There are industries or under-served-sectors ( a limited number of the population is involved in where its displacement by trade-competition would not hugely affect the economy) that would rather benefit from such trade-deals & competition to up-lift their product quality and skillsets to the next level and the process energize industrial output that would benefit the larger economy… but stabbing-to-kill the largest economic-sector is simply suicidal for a developing economy like ours… but beneficial for a developed economy… Even then look at the developed economies such as US and EU provide the highest SUBSIDIES to their respective FARMING & livestock INDUSTIRS; while telling the developing countries not to do so…, ‘it is a racket’ ( and our so called ‘educated’ among us fall for it headfirst.).
Be careful what you wish for; EU was created as trade-unity (common market) but it out lived its mandate long ago turning its self into a WAR-FRONT, in the process of killing the unified-economies with its DRACONINA-agendas member nation cannot say ‘No’ to… According to ‘Armstrong Economics’ long-term predictions EU (days are numbered) will unexpectedly (suddenly) join Lindsey graham while preparing to pass its next war-plan (as was the case with LG) by 2027/28.
Be well