Tanzania and Egypt are set to construct a mega meat processing plant in Tanzania with a slaughtering capacity of 1,500 cows and 4,500 goats per day.
The plant will provide support to livestock keepers, as they will sell livestock at better prices. Upon its completion, the industry is expected to create 5,000 employment opportunities. Both countries, through the National Ranching Company Limited (NARCO) and NECAI of Egypt, signed an agreement for the construction of the plant to be situated at Ruvu ranch, Bagamoyo District in Tanzania’s coastal region.
Egypt has a vast meat market which will eventually provide a market for Tanzanian livestock keepers. Tanzania has the third largest livestock population on the African continent comprising 25 million cattle, 98 per cent of which are indigenous breeds, complemented by 16.7 million goats,
8 million sheep, 2.4 million pigs and 36 million chickens.
The industry is also expected to produce leather products such as shoes, belts, handbags and livestock food. Tanzanian Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Luhaga Mpina says the establishment of the plant in the coast region is a blessing for livestock keepers across the country, who have for years, searched for reliable markets.
“This is a message to other East African countries and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who have been buying livestock from Tanzania. We are going to export processed meat instead of livestock soon”, he said. According to Mpina, 1.4 per cent of livestock worldwide is from Tanzania and 11 per cent of livestock in Africa, found in the country. He pointed out that supply of raw materials to the established industries is assured.
Egyptian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mohamed Gabel Abulwafa, says Egypt had been attracted to invest in the livestock sector after realising Tanzania’s livestock size and potential.