Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science

Volume 6, Issue 1, 2022, PP 6-11

ISSN 2637-5354
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22259/2637-5354.0601002

Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and

Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review
Gezahagn Dugassa
Market Research Team, Institute of Livestock Development, Bishoftu, Oromia, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author: Gezahagn Dugassa, Market Research Team, Institute of Livestock
Development, Bishoftu, Oromia, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT
The review was conducted to assess the current status of poultry meat production, processing and marketing
in Ethiopia. It assesses Ethiopian poultry meat production potential, status of poultry meat consumption,
and challenges of Poultry meat production and marketing in Ethiopia. According to CSA (2020/21),
Ethiopian poultry is estimated total population of 57 million. In Ethiopia, about 14. 3 million poultry were
slaughtered (9.5 million Male and 4.8 Million Female). The Poultry meat production is conservatively
estimated to be 21,853 tons per year. From this, 18,192 ton (83%) from Male, and 3,659 ton (17%) from
Female chicken. As a result, the estimate of total number of eggs produced during the year is about 369
million. The per capita poultry and poultry product consumption in Ethiopia is one of the lowest in the
world: 57 eggs and 2.85 kg of chicken meat per annum. The marketing system of poultry and poultry
products is generally informal and poorly developed. Low levels of education among producers, and
inadequate availability of water and electricity, poor coordination of the value chain linkages between input
suppliers, service providers, producers, traders and retailers, along with a lack of credit services and risk
averse investors limit production and marketing of poultry production in Ethiopia.
Keywords: Poultry, Meat, Production, Marketing, Substitution

INTRODUCTION breed, 78.85 percent, 12.02 percent , 9.11 and

percent of the total poultry were reported to be
Poultry production systems of tropical regions indigenous, hybrid and exotic, respectively
are mainly holidays. In general, poultry (CS, 2020/21).
consumption accounts for based on the
scavenging indigenous chickens found in less Poultry production stimulates local economic
than 1% of the total annual food needs of farm development of urban centers through the
virtually all villages and households in rural development of related micro-enterprises
area. It has households (Bush, 2006). Rural wholly or partly responsible for the provision
chicken in Ethiopia represents been estimated of inputs and processing, packaging, and
that 80% of the poultry population in marketing of outputs as well as the provision
significant part of the national economy in of services to the sector (Mutami,2015).
general and the Africa is found in traditional The productivity of poultry has been limited
scavenging systems (Guaye, 2000). by the scarcity and subsequent high prices of
Ethiopian poultry is an estimated total conventional protein and energy sources in
population of 57 million. Poultry includes Ethiopia. Poultry producers in Ethiopia are
cocks, cockerels, pullets, laying hens, non- constantly complaining about the high cost
laying hens and chicks. Most of the poultry are and quality of poultry feed on the market. The
lying hens (34.26 percent), followed by quality of mixed feed used is generally poor
poultry are chicks (32.86 percent). Pullets are and most formulations available do not have
estimated to be about 6.47 million in the vitamin or mineral premixes (EIAR, 2016).
country. Cocks and cockerels are also In Ethiopia, poultry industry plays a
estimated separately, and are 6.38 million and significant role in the supply of human food
about 3.27 million, respectively. The others (eggs and meat) in rural and urban area and as
are non-laying hens that make up about 4.59 a source of income, especially to small holder
percent (2.61 million) of the total poultry farmers. About 95.86% of the total national
population in the country. With regard to

Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V6 ● I1 ● 2022 6

Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review

poultry products (eggs and meat) are over 1,000 broilers, or 500 layers are
contributed by indigenous chickens kept under considered the medium- and large scale
village management system while the intensive systems. Within such systems, there
remaining 1.35% is obtained from intensively are large variations among producers in terms
kept exotic breed of chickens and 2.79% are of technology use, management level and scale
obtained from hybrids. Poultry meat and eggs of operation. Medium- and large-scale
are relatively cheap and affordable sources of intensive poultry producers are mainly located
protein for most consumers, compared to other in and around cities and major towns such as
animal products such as beef. At the Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and Adama. Broiler
household level poultry is important to the production is concentrated in Adama, Modjo
nutritional well-being of household members and Bishoftu; pullet rearing is heavily
especially children and as income source for concentrated in Bishoftu; while egg production
women. However, the per capita poultry and is mainly in Addis Ababa (FAO, 2019b).
poultry product consumption in Ethiopia is
In Ethiopia, about 14. 3 million poultry were
one of the lowest in the world: 57 eggs and
slaughtered (9.5 million Male and 4.8 Million
2.85 kg of chicken meat per annum. The
Female). If we convert to meat based on
marketing system of poultry and poultry
Halima, 2008 (1Male chicken = 1.691 Kg, and
products is generally informal and poorly
1Female chicken= 0.758 Kg), the Poultry meat
developed (Gebre T, 2018).
production is conservatively estimated to be
OBJECTIVES 21,853 tons per year. From this, 18,192 ton
(83%) from Male, and 3,659 ton (17%) from
The objective of the study is to review on
Female chicken. As a result, the estimate of
Current Status and challenges of Poultry Meat total number of eggs produced during the year
Production, Processing, Consumption and is about 369 million (CSA, 2020/21).
Marketing in Ethiopia.
According to FAO (2019b), small-scale farms
POULTRY MEAT PRODUCTION AND usually sell live birds and do not have
PROCESSING slaughtering facilities. Those who slaughter
Poultry is one of the most important chickens at their farm use hired labor/butchers
agricultural subsectors for rural communities and brokers who take the carcasses to their
in Ethiopia. The poultry production systems of own premises to dress and freeze them for
Ethiopia are classified into the industrial and marketing. Slaughtering and processing are
integrated/medium- and large-scale intensive carried out manually and 'Halal' slaughter is
systems and the different categories of family not practiced. However, some farms slaughter,
poultry production systems (i.e., the small- process, and sell spent chickens to market
scale intensive, semi-intensive, extensive vendors for sale in mini markets and
scavenging and small-extensive scavenging specialized shops equipped with deep freezing
systems (FAO, 2019b). Producers keeping facilities.
Table1. Poultry Meat Production
SN Country Production in ‘000’ ton Share in %
USA 23,000 17.29
1 China 22,000 16.54
2 Brazil 14,000 10.53
3 South Africa 1,965 1.48
4 Angola 49 0.04
5 Ethiopia 22 0.02
6 World 133,000 100.0
Source: FAO, 2020 and CSA, 2021
As we can see from the table 1 above, United around 1.5% from the world’s total
States of America is the leading country in production.
poultry meat production having 17% share of
the World’s capacity. Ethiopia have the lowest
POULTRY MEAT MARKETING IN
capacity even when to compared with other ETHIOPIA
African countries. In Africa, South Africa is Poultry and egg markets in Ethiopia are at an
the most producer of poultry meat having early stage of development. The scavenging
family poultry production systems are the

7 Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V6 ● I1 2022

Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review

principal providers for the domestic market, total imports and 8 percent of exports) and
supplying most of the marketable poultry Saudi Arabia (13 percent of imports and 7
products. The share of the intensive and semi- percent of exports).Imports in Ethiopia
intensive poultry systems in the national increased to 4350.20 USD Million from
market is currently on the rise. There are a few 4136.60 USD Million in the third quarter of
private large-scale commercial poultry farms 2021.
in Ethiopia, most of which are located near the
Ethiopian Airlines Group is the most importer
capital or regional towns. Alema Farms,
of chicken meat estimated 100Ton per year for
ELFORA Agro-Industries, Ethiochicken,
the purpose of hospitality to its customers in
SAFE Poultry PLC, Astral Foods and Feedco
airplane and Skylight hotel. There are also
Animal Feeds PLC are among the major
other hotels and supermarkets (Sheraton
companies importing breeding stock,
Addis, Lewis supermarket) importing chicken
supplying DOCs, and hatching eggs.
ELFORA, Alema, and Genesis are the three meat from different countries. The main
largest commercial poultry farms with modern source of chicken meat for Ethiopia are Brazil
production and processing facilities (Alemneh, and South Africa (Self-observation).
2019). Large amount of poultry product particularly,
In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) the high price of broiler me is imported from abroad for
feed, shortage of land, unavailability of pullets international star hotels and Ethiopian airlines.
in time, high cost of pullets, feed quality, Due to quality standards and disease problems,
shortage of water, lack of available feed in the country forced to import 544 ton of poultry
nearby areas, marketing difficulties during meat by spent 1.4 million USD in 2019. These
selling of poultry products, health problem, large amounts of foreign currency need to be
lack of access to credit, and inadequate substituted either through adopting appropriate
training (Nebiyu, 2016). technologies and/or generating technologies
like, breed improvement and producing
Ebsa, Harpal, and Gebeyehu (2019) in their international quality standard poultry products
study of Challenges and chicken production (FAO, 2019).
status of poultry Producers in Bishoftu,
Ethiopia, almost all (98.0%) of poultry STATUS OF POULTRY MEAT
producers used a house confined with deep CONSUMPTION IN ETHIOPIA
litter. Larger percentages (94.2%) of poultry Over the last several decades, global meat
producers provided supplementary feed to consumption has increased tremendously.
their chicken. A higher percentage (82.7%) of Notable increases in total consumption have
poultry producers fed a commercial ration been observed in all world regions, but
while 17.3% fed mixed feed to their chicken. especially in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Market prices of chicken in Ethiopia are In terms of meat types, pork and poultry
seasonal. Consumer prices generally rise dominate in today’s global consumption and
during holidays such as Easter, New Year, and have seen the strongest consumption increases
Christmas. The demand of poultry meat (Yilmaz, Yuksel, and Alpat, 2021).
demand increases during the time of holidays Doro Wat is a saucy chicken stew which is
Ethiopian Christmas of 2014 E.C or 2021i.e. served with Injera and boiled eggs. Chicken is
indigenous breed (1000 ETB), Exotic breed a ‘must’ dish in Ethiopian culture for holidays
(450 ETB) and Crossbreed was 700 ETB and social ceremonies independent of the
(Self-Observation). differences in religions. Chicken plays also an
IMPORT SUBSTITUTION important function in their bartering value.
Poultry are used for strengthening marriage
According to National Bank of Ethiopia partnerships and social relationships. In the
(2021), Ethiopia recorded a trade deficit of local culture, women who can provide men
3433.60 Million USD in 2021. Ethiopia runs with food like a chicken dish (Doro wat) are
consistent trade deficits due to small considered to be contributing to a stable
production of exportable goods and logistic marriage. Serving Doro Wat is also a
difficulties. Main exports are gold, coffee, live demonstration of respect to guests, thus
animals and oilseeds. Ethiopia is a net strengthening a social relationship which is
importer of fuel, foodstuffs and textile apparel. especially important for poor households
Main trading partners are China (18 percent of (Demeke, 2008).

Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V6 ● I1 ● 2022 8

Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review

The increase in pork consumption is primarily restrictions than other meat types (Mottet &
driven by China and a few other countries in Tempio 2017). Although to a lesser extent, the
Southeast Asia. In contrast, poultry global consumption of bovine meat, mutton
consumption has sharply increased in all parts and goat, and other meat types has also
of the world, as it is cheaper, often perceived increased over time.
as healthier, and less affected by religious

Figure1. Poultry Meat Consumption

Source: FAO, 2018
Figure above shows the top world countries in - Lack well trained and highly qualified
poultry meat per capita consumption. Israel workers on poultry meat processing;
(58.5Kg), USA (49.8Kg), and Malaysia - Inadequate infrastructural facilities
(46.7Kg) were top poultry meat consumers in (Electricity, Water);
the world. Ethiopian per capita poultry meat
- Underutilized capacity of Poultry
consumption is only 2.85Kg.
farms and slaughterhouses resulting
CHALLENGES OF POULTRY MEAT in higher product costs exposing
PRODUCTION AND MARKETING them to fierce competition against
imported products;
General issues for poultry meat production,
- Technology (inadequate supply of
processing and Marketing in Ethiopia include;
equipment and machinery);
- High price and poor quality of feed; - Lack of provision of incentive
- Fluctuation in demand for poultry mechanisms for quality
products, with drastic peaks and differentiation which demotivate
declines in demand around the producers to commit for quality
Orthodox Christian fasting periods; products.
- The poor value chain linkages CONCLUSION
between input suppliers, service Poultry is one of the most important
providers, producers, traders and agricultural subsectors for rural communities
retailers; in Ethiopia. United States of America is the
leading country in poultry meat production
- Inadequate Advertising or promotion; having 17% share of the World’s capacity.
- Inadequate working capital due to Ethiopia have the lowest capacity even when
limited access to bank loan/credit to compared with other African countries. In
for manufacturers for long term and Africa, South Africa is the most producer of
mega projects; poultry meat having around 1.5% from the
world’s total production.

9 Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V6 ● I1 2022

Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review

Market prices of chicken in Ethiopia are Demeke S. [Accessed July 13, 2013];Poultry sector
seasonal. Consumer prices generally rise country review. FAO, Animal Production and
during holidays such as Easter, New Year, and Health Division. (2008) Available from:
Christmas. The demand of poultry meat ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/ai320e/ai320e
00.pdf .
demand increases during the time of Ethiopian
holidays i.e. Christmas of 2014 E.C or 2021 Ebsa, Y. A., Harpal, S., &Negia, G. G. (2019).
the average price of indigenous breed (1000 Challenges and chicken production status of
poultry producers in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
ETB), Exotic breed (450 ETB) and Crossbreed
Poultry Science, 98(11), 5452–5455. https://
(700 ETB).Large amount of poultry product doi.org/10.3382/ps/pez343
particularly, broiler meat is imported from
EIAR (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural
abroad for international star hotels and Research). 2016. National Poultry Research
Ethiopian airlines. Due to quality standards Commodity Strategy (2016-2030), EIAR.
and disease problems, the country forced to
ENTAG (Ethio-Netherlands Trade for Agricultural
import large amount of broiler meat annually. Growth), 2020. Invest in the Ethiopian
RECOMMENDATIONS Poultry Sector, Business Opportunity Report.
http://entag.org/download/business-opportu-
From this review the following nity-report-investethiopian-poultry-sector-20
recommendations are suggested: 20
FAO. 2019. FAOSTAT database. www.fao.org/
 To meet the demands of poultry meat
faostat/en/.
and egg consumption in the country,
increasing production in quantity and FAO. 2019b. Poultry Sector Ethiopia. FAO Animal
Production and Health Livestock Country
quality
Reviews. No. 11. Rome.
 Promote diversified poultry meat GebreTona, M. (2018). Poultry Production,
products than ‘Doro watt’ Consumption, Marketing and Associated
Challengesin Ethiopia. British Journal of
 The consumption behavior of chicken Poultry Sciences, 7(2), 16–28. https://doi.
meat and egg also should not be org/10.5829/idosi.bjps.2018.16.28
depended only on holidays and
Gueye, E., 2000. The role of family poultry in
religious festivals. poverty alleviation, food security and the
 To reduce imported poultry meat, promotion of gender equality in rural Africa.
encourage private sectors to Outlook on Agri., 29(2): 129-136
participate on the sector; Halima,H. 2007. Phenotypic and genetic
characterization of indigenous chicken
 So as to enhancing access to finance population in North West Ethiopia PHD diss,
the government should alleviate the University of Free state, Bloemfontein, South
problem of shortage of finance to Africa.176. International Trade Statistics
fund capital goods (machinery and Yearbook: Vol. I. (2021).
equipment’s); Management Entity. (2021). Ethiopia’s Livestock
Systems: Overview and Areas of Inquiry. 54.
REFERENCES
Mottet A, Tempio G. 2017. Global poultry
Alemneh, T., Getabalew M. 2019. Exotic chicken production: current state and future outlook
production performance, status and and challenges. World’s Poultry Sci.
challengesin Ethiopia. Int J Vet Sci Res 5(2): J.73:245–56
039-045. http://dx.doi.org/10.17352/ijvsr.000 Mutami, C. 2015. Small-holder poultry production
040 in Zimbabwe.A survey, department of rural
Bush, J., 2006. The Threat of Avian Flu Predicted and urban development, Great Zimbabwe
Impacts on Rural Livelihoods in Southern University Masvingo, Zimbabwe. J. Sust.
Nation, Nationalities and Peoples Region Deve. 13:18p.
(SNNPR), Ethiopia. The Food Economy National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), annual trade
Group, May 2006. report 2021, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nebiyu, Y. A. 2016. Assessment of urban poultry
CSA (Central Statistic Authority). (2021). Federal
production practices in Addis Ababa with
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Central
emphasis on egg production, product
Statistical Agency Agricultural Sample
marketing, feed quality and waste
Survey 2020/21 [2013 E.C.], Volume II.
management. PhD Diss., Department of
Report on Livestock and Livestock
Animal Production Studies, College of
Characteristics (Private Peasant Holdings),
Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. II(March), 16.
Ababa University.

Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V6 ● I1 ● 2022 10

Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review

United Nations. (2020). International Trade YILMAZÖNAL, H., YÜKSEL, A., PARMAKSIZ,
Statistics Yearbook 2019 Vol II: Vol. II. A., & ALPAT, İ. (2021). Meat Consumption
https://comtrade.un. org/pb/downloads/2015/ and Sustainability. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü
ITSY2015VolII.pdf İmam Üniversitesi Tarımve DoğaDergisi, 1–
Woldegiorgiss, W. E., Amare, A., & Siraw, B. 25. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.
(2017). Status of Commercial Poultry vi.992371
Production in Ethiopia. December.

Citation: Gezahagn Dugassa, “Current Status of Poultry Meat Production, Processing and Marketing in
Ethiopia: A Review”, Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science. 2022; 6(1): 6-11. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22259/2637-5354.0601002
Copyright: © 2022 Authors. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

11 Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science V6 ● I1 2022