The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock has called for stronger investment in Tanzania’s livestock industry, particularly national ranches, as the country seeks to expand meat exports and increase value addition.
The committee made the call on Friday, August 21, 2026, after receiving performance reports from the Tanzania Meat Board (TMB), Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB) and National Ranching Company (NARCO).
The meeting, chaired by committee chairman Deodatus Mwanyika, reviewed the performance of the three institutions and challenges affecting the livestock sector.
According to the TMB report, Tanzania’s meat exports continued to record growth during the 2025/26 financial year, generating $61.5 million from shipments to 11 countries.
The earnings increased by 8.4 per cent compared with the previous year, with goat meat accounting for 67 per cent of total meat exports.
The country exported 14,213.66 tonnes of meat worth $61.5 million in 2025/26, up from 13,112.44 tonnes valued at $53.9 million in 2024/25.
The increase points to growing demand for Tanzanian meat in international markets, while also highlighting the potential for the livestock industry to generate more foreign exchange if production, processing and market access are further improved.
On the dairy front, production increased from 3.9 billion litres in 2023/24 to 4.2 billion litres in 2025/26, according to the TDB report.
The latest output represents 97 per cent of the country’s annual target of 4.3 billion litres.
The dairy industry remains a major source of livelihoods, with about 4.6 million households involved in the sector and more than 20 million Tanzanians benefiting through formal and informal employment.
NARCO reported progress in cattle procurement and improvement, the establishment of the Mwisa II Ranch, and implementation of projects aimed at strengthening the commercialisation of livestock.
However, the company said it continues to face challenges, including debts and encroachment on ranch land.
These challenges, the report indicated, require coordinated interventions to enable NARCO to make better use of its ranches and contribute more effectively to the growth of the livestock industry.
After receiving the reports, committee members discussed the performance of the institutions and provided recommendations to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and its agencies.
Mr Mwanyika urged the ministry to work closely with NARCO to identify sustainable investment models for national ranches, saying improved ranch management would be critical to increasing livestock production and meeting market demand.
He also called for greater emphasis on value addition in livestock and fisheries products to enable Tanzania to earn more from its natural and agricultural resources rather than relying mainly on the export of raw products.
“We need to ensure that our livestock production meets market demand while strengthening value addition in livestock and fisheries products,” Mr Mwanyika said.
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, responded to issues raised by the committee and thanked members for their recommendations and guidance.
He said the ministry would work on the issues raised as part of efforts to improve the performance of its institutions and increase the contribution of the livestock and fisheries sectors to the national economy.
The developments come as Tanzania continues to position livestock as an important contributor to employment, food security, exports and industrial development.
