Egypt Livestock and Products Annual 2008
By USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service - This article provides the cattle industry data from the USDA FAS Livestock and Products Annual 2008 report for Egypt. A link to the full report is also provided. The full report includes all the tabular data, which we have omitted from this article.
5 August 2008
4 minute read
Report Highlights:
Total cattle numbers are forecasted to be down about 5 percent in2009 as a result of the import ban on live cattle imports from most of the exporting countries. As a result of lower domestic availability, meat imports are expected to increase about 2 percent. Imports of dairy cattle from U.S. are expected to resume again shortly. U.S beef liver continues to dominate the Egyptian market. In 2007, U.S beef liver exports were about $75 million.
Production
Virtually Egypt’s entire livestock herd is maintained primarily for dairy production, with meat production of secondary importance. The size of the Egyptian cattle herd (including domesticated buffalo) in 2007 is expected to increase by about 2 percent from 2007 levels. This increase is mostly due to the absence of outbreaks of both lumpy skin (LSD) and foot and mouth diseases (FMD) in 2008.
Due to a reduction in milk production, combined with recent increase in milk prices, most of the milk producers are interested in importing dairy cattle either for expansion existing or for new dairy farms. The government is currently imposing a ban on the importation of live cattle from most of European counters due to the blue tong outbreak in Europe. The Egyptian government has lifted the ban on imports of pregnant heifers from both Canada and The U.S.
Trade
In early 2007 the government approved imports of live cattle from Australia and Romania. This after the ban imposed on live cattle from all sources in June 2006 due to the out-breaks of FMD, LSD, and three day fever. Only 975 head ready for slaughter were imported from Romania and Hungary.
Total beef cattle imported from January 2008 through July 2008 are estimated at 1,600 head, from Romania and Hungary. Furthermore, the Egyptian Veterinary Services (EVS) recently approved the import of live cattle from both U.S and Canada. Dairy cattle imports have been banned since June 2001 when MOA issued the decree #1355, which requires that imported cattle come from a country or area declared enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) free. However, in November 2007, the EVS amended the import requirement for dairy cattle from the U.S. The Egyptian government EVS approved imports of breeding cattle born and raised in the U.S. Cattle is coming from EBL free herds. Even so, two serological tests for ELB within 21 days are required during 30 days before export. One serological test will take place upon arrival of the cattle to Egyptian ports. The shortage in domestic beef stock and milk supply have been exacerbated by the outbreak of FMD and LSD, in addition to the increased prices of both meat and milk, imports of cattle are expected to increase in 2009.
In 2008, beef imports are expected to be at the same level as 2007. In 2007, Egyptian imports of frozen beef were estimated at 250,000 MT, compared with 222,321 MT in 2006. Due to price competitiveness, Brazil continues to be the major supplier of imported frozen meat to Egypt. Brazilian frozen beef is cheaper by $ 150 to $200 per MT compared to other sources.
In 2007, Egypt’s total beef liver imports were estimated 75,225 MT. The United States continues to be the sole supplier of beef liver into the Egyptian ma rket. During the first 7 months of 2008, U.S. liver shipments to Egypt were very strong, reaching about 40,000 tons, compared with 35,000 MT during the same period in 2007.
Consumption
In 2007, meat consumption is forecasted to decline as the short supply of locally produced meat has driven up prices. The average per capita consumption of red meat is estimated at 8.5 kg/year, which is quite low compared to consumption levels in other countries. The low consumption is mainly due to limited local production combined with low income s. Egyptians prefer beef to other types of meat including poultry and lamb. They also prefer fresh over frozen beef. The more affluent segment of the population tends to think of imported frozen meat as an inferior product. The exception to this is the very limited amount of high quality beef imported for use in hotels and restaurants, mostly imported from the United States.
Further Reading
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List of Articles in this series
To view our complete list of Livestock and Products Annual, and Semi-Annual reports, please click hereAugust 2008
