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November 9, 2001
Lifting the import ban imposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on chilled meat and live
animals from Somalia. Following the UNDP/FAO-organized tour for the UAE health experts in
Somalia, several UAE municipalities decided to lift the ban by first allowing the import of chilled
meat and then live animals. Although welc ome, these developments in the UAE livestock market
are too small to make a noticeable difference in Somalia.
Understanding better the health and economic implications of the livestock vaccination against
the RVF, if livestock importing countries request it. Vaccination requires selection of appropriate
vaccines and huge human and financial resources. However, vaccinating all Somali livestock
nearly 45 million head seems impossible, as Yemen has decided concerning its own national
herd.
Raising awareness of the magnitude of the problem and its implication on the Somali
environment in the long-term, as well as economic and social aspects in the short-term.
Alternative markets, in case Somalia loses its traditional markets, have also been considered.
During their visit to Somalia, UAE health experts inspected three abattoirs: Mogadishu (in southern
Somalia); Galkaio (in the central rangelands); and Burao (in the Northwest). The health experts decided
12,000
9,000
6,000
3,000
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
FEWS NET/Somalia
Source: UNDP/FAO
A total of 123 MT of meat from 1,331 cattle and 87 MT of meat from 807 camels were also exported to
UAE and to Saudi Arabia, respectively, from April to September 2001. Unconfirmed reports from the
field indicate that Galkaio and Mogadishu are exporting similar amounts of chilled meat every month. .
Although the ban is still in place, the export of live animals to the Gulf countries resumed as early as
February this year from Bosasso (Figure 2). Well-connected livestock traders from Bosasso sent about
1,100 animals to the Gulf in February, and another 13,400 in May. The number of livestock exported
from Bosasso increased sharply during July and August, reaching about the same levels as 1997 (the last
full year without a livestock import ban) and 2000 (a year with the livestock ban). In September, sheep
and goat exports from Bosasso to UAE reached the historic level of 94,000 heads for the month.
Thousands Exported
1997
2000
2001
1997
2000
2001
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
In fact, Egypt may emerge as an alternative market for Somalilands livestock exports. Last month,
(September) traders from Egypt and Somaliland authorities agreed to expand bilateral trade. Demand
from Egyptian markets is very high and has increased camel prices in Somaliland. FSAU field monitors
in Burao and Hargeisa report an increase in camel market prices due to the resumption of livestock
exports, especially camels, from nearby Berbera to Egypt.
Protein-rich cowpeas, typically the most expensive local pulse in Somalia, play an important nutritional
role for many families. Short supplies and high demand outside of the cowpea growing areas led to price
increases in most markets. High prices were reported in the Cowpea Belt market of El-dhere at about
shs2,000 per kg in October, as well as in Jowhar (Ssh 5,200), in Galkaio (Ssh 6,000), and in Baidoa (Ssh
5,500). The highest cowpeas prices were reported in Bosasso market at about Ssh7,000 per kg.
Supplies of imported commodities such as sugar, rice, oil, and pasta increased sharply in October
as calmer seas returned off the coast of Somalia, allowing traders to import large quantities of food.
While markets close to seaports reported lower prices for imported commodities, other markets away
from the coast, notably in Bay, Bakool, and Gedo regions, still reported higher prices.
2,500
2001
2,000
1,500
1,000
2000
500
October, compared with 10 kg in September. The FSAU reports that daily unskilled wages in the most
markets in southern Somalia in October were equivalent, on average, to less than 2 kg of cereals
enough to meet the daily cereal needs for a household of about 5-6 people , but leaving nothing for other
expenses.