• DOI:10.20506/RST.8.3.430
• Corpus ID: 88351491

International trade in animals and animal products : the African case.

@article{Mannathoko1989InternationalTI,
  title={International trade in animals and animal products : the African case.},
  author={M. Mannathoko and L. Blajan},
  journal={Revue scientifique et technique},
  year={1989},
  volume={8 3},
  pages={
          625-669
        }
}

• M. Mannathoko, L. Blajan
• Published 1 January 1989
• Economics
• Revue scientifique et technique

Statistics from the FAO Trade and Fisheries Yearbooks show that the balance of external trade of Africa as a whole is negative, as far as livestock, animal products and fish products are concerned. The balance naturally varies according to each of the major regions of Africa. Exporting countries in Africa are encountering increased competition from other continents. Examination of statistics and the constraints on African trade in animal products leads the authors to formulate a number of conclusions and recommendations, particularly with reference to improvements in animal disease control, hygienic conditions and veterinary regulations governing international trade. With an annual growth rate of around 3%, Africa is the continent which is currently experiencing the most rapid rise in population. Production of foodstuffs of animal origin has not developed on the scale necessary to sustain a population which increases by over 14 million new consumers each year. In addition, a third of all Africans already live in towns and cities, and rural depopulation is only making matters worse. Although the consumption of animal products represents only 6.5% of the calorie intake, compared with 31.7% in industrialised countries, Africa is obliged to import more and more foodstuffs of animal origin to meet the increasing demand. This report presents statistics on the volume and value of African trade in the various animals and products, chiefly taken from the 1986 FAO Yearbooks on Trade and Fisheries. As a general rule, these figures are supplied by governments in response to FAO questionnaires. In some cases the quantities and values have been calculated according to information supplied by the trading partners of those countries failing to meet the deadline for returns. In other cases, estimates have been made.