Meat exporters are eagerly awaiting the implementation of a binding agreement with livestock suppliers, hoping to compete in global markets efficiently. This comes in response to exporters' requests for regulatory oversight, prompting the Livestock Development Institute officials to pen the directive three months ago.

The bill which removes intermediaries from the market chain and creates industry linkage between the two actors, is expected to shorten supply chains and address issues such as high prices cited for the lackluster export performance.

There is a potential to supply 200,000tn meat provided that abattoirs utilise full capacity. However, beef exports deemed as no longer lucrative were removed from the portfolio a year ago while goats make up around 95pc of the meat exports.

Ethiopia garnered nearly 78 million dollars in revenues from shipping 10,645tn of goats and sheep meat last year: mainly to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia markets. The previous year's performance was relatively better at 17,205tn of meat exports earning 104.3 million dollars.

According to Gezahegn Dugassa, head of the value chain and promotion at the Institute, there are several middlemen in the current livestock supply chain, ranging from cattle husbandry to export abattoirs.

Their role, he believes, is not essential apart from imposing additional prices and narrowing the margin of the exporters.

"A mutual decision of exporters and suppliers will be the benchmark to set the prices," he said.

Although Ethiopia boasts the largest livestock population, with nearly 70 million cattle, 40 million sheep and 50 million goats, there are only 11 meat processors and exporters in the country.

The 33-year-old Ethiopian Meat Exporter & Producers Association applauds the move indicating its role in stabilising the market price which seems to have been a major impediment to exporters to compete in the international market.

Secretary-General, Abebaw Mekonnen said discussion with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture is pending while they prepare for additional inputs.

"We long for a swift process," he said.

Once the bill gets approval from Minister Girma Amentie (PhD), a task force comprised of representatives from the Ministry, Agriculture Authority and Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration will be formed to oversee how they go about it. Meanwhile, a bill to regulate the supply chain logistics and infrastructure of the largely informal livestock sector is prepared by the Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration.

Shimelis Araya (PhD), an agricultural economist believes that previous industrialisation-led policies that ignored the sector are a culprit for the exorbitant prices and unpredictable livestock market.

"We are reaping what we sow," said Shimelis.

He urges that the essentiality of the livestock policy is to identify what budget to be allotted precisely and to support the farmers through technologies for the revival of livestock and meat export.

While policy overhauls recommended by experts await stakeholder discussion and approval, major exporters such as Frigorifico Boran Foods Plc which claims a 40pc market share are contemplating shutting down operations.