Mauritius is also interested in Madagascar’s Zebu

Madagascar may now resume exports of cattle after the international embargo that dates back to 1990 has been lifted. “The first batch of 120 steers dispatched to the Comoros left the port of Mahajanga, northwest of Madagascar, last Saturday,” said Minister of Agriculture, Ihanta Randriamandranto. Soon, local merchants can also expect to receive cattle demands from Mauritius. However, the strict conditions and standards required must be met before each export. The annual quota for the country is 50000 cattle. Only steers weighing over 300 kilos can be exported. Exports of calves and cows are still prohibited.

A government source said the national herd is estimated at around 9 million Euros. With the high consumption of beef in the country, the national herd is threatened to extinction. Official documents show that Madagascar kills an average of 450000 cattle a year. The export of zebu can lead to reductions of the Malagasy herd if no accompanying measures tending to improve local cattle farming are taken. However, the export will encourage cattle breeders following the increase of the revenues that the latter have received.