Tanzania's meat export sector is being carried by goat and sheep products, after shipments generated Sh159.9 billion between July 2025 and June 2026, according to Tanzania Meat Board data reported by The Citizen.

Goat and sheep meat accounted for 95 percent of total export value during the period. TMB Acting Registrar John Chassama said goat meat generated Sh111.9 billion, equal to 70 percent of total exports, while sheep meat earned Sh40.5 billion, or 25.3 percent. Beef contributed Sh6.4 billion, representing four percent, and chicken meat brought in Sh423.3 million, or 0.3 percent.

The export pattern points to a concentrated but commercially meaningful opening for livestock producers, processors and logistics providers. Oman was Tanzania's largest market, importing meat worth Sh82.8 billion, or 51.8 percent of the total. The United Arab Emirates followed with Sh43.7 billion, Saudi Arabia with Sh11.7 billion, Kuwait with Sh6.5 billion and Bahrain with Sh6.1 billion. Vietnam, Comoros, Hong Kong, Kenya and Seychelles were also listed among destination markets.

For Tanzania's livestock value chain, the figures underline how export growth now depends on animal health systems, traceability and processing standards as much as herd size. The Citizen reported that industry representatives linked market access to vaccination and identification systems that help buyers verify livestock origin and health history.

The government is also tying export expansion to investment in production infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries' 2026/27 budget cited in the report, planned measures include a second phase of rehabilitation at the National Ranching Company abattoir in Dodoma, modern laboratory equipment and six breeding bulls at the National Artificial Insemination Centre.

Other measures include strengthening 127 Livestock Multiplication Units, acquiring 120 breeding animals and improving access to water and pasture. Those interventions matter because Tanzania's strongest meat export categories are still exposed to quality, cold-chain and consistency constraints. If the sector can improve processing and reliability, the current export base gives producers a clearer path from domestic livestock activity into higher-value regional and overseas markets.