Mongolia Promotes Livestock Sector and Meat Exports

Mongolia Promotes Livestock Sector and Meat Exports


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The latest numbers from the Mongolia Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry show an estimated 66.2 million livestock in Mongolia in 2017. The majority of these are sheep and goats, with cattle horses and camels making up a much smaller portion. The trend in Mongolia is now an increase in the national livestock herd of 2-3% per year. With Mongolia’s cold winters maintaining growth can be difficult with large numbers of animals killed by harsh conditions. The government is therefore issuing policies to encourage higher quality growth in the livestock industry, rather than simply increasing numbers.

A new focus on agriculture in general is a part of a strategy to diversify away from over dependence on the mining industry. Parliament has in recent years worked with government to amend and revise existing laws regarding livestock, and to  implement new laws to protect this sector in hopes of increasing exports of livestock and livestock products.

The government plans to increase exports of meat in particular, and to improve Mongolian livestock health overall. Over time, the income of livestock farmers is expected to increase. The amount of meat exported in 2017 is already three times the amount exported in 2016, so we can say that the policies have already had an important effect.

Laws coming into effect in summer this year will implement a new livestock health monitoring system, establish rules to prevent of risks and spread of infectious diseases, and regulate the relationship between veterinary hospitals and herders. An industry make over will revitalize the Mongolia state owned company responsible for producing and supplying veterinary pharmaceuticals.