Govt targets $1bn annual beef exports, 11 million cattle

The Zambian government has unveiled a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at transforming the livestock subsector into a major foreign exchange earner, targeting $1 billion in annual beef exports. Speaking on national development objectives, President Hakainde Hichilema emphasized that the country must aggressively look beyond traditional mineral exports like copper to build a more resilient, diversified economy. Central to this vision is a plan to more than double the national cattle population to 11 million animals while modernizing animal husbandry practices across the country. To meet stringent international trade requirements, the administration is prioritizing robust animal health infrastructure. Plans include the establishment of additional livestock disease-free compartments, enhanced traceability systems, and aggressive vaccination and disease surveillance campaigns. Furthermore, the government intends to construct and rehabilitate regional veterinary laboratories and roll out structured beef marketing centers nationwide. These interventions are designed to dismantle longstanding phytosanitary barriers that have historically locked Zambian producers out of lucrative regional and international markets. Crucially, the policy framework places heavy emphasis on empowering small-scale farmers, who currently account for the vast majority of the nation's livestock ownership. By enhancing extension services and promoting small livestock, poultry, and dairy farming alongside beef production, the government hopes to secure rural incomes and build resilience against climate-induced agricultural shocks. Stakeholders in the agricultural value chain have welcomed the initiative, noting that structured financing models and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks will be vital to unlocking regional demand in markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and the wider Middle East. Industry experts and supply chain analysts point out that while the $1.1b