• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Africa Farming

Supporting Farming in Africa with information and resources

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Dairy Farming
  • Crop Farming
  • Fish Farming
  • Poultry Farming

Buying Livestock in Ethiopia – The Only Guide You Need!

August 7 By Samuel

  • Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. Income from livestock ranges from 37% to 87% of total income, depending on the different parts of the country. For example, the income from livestock in pastoral areas of Ethiopia is much higher than in other regions. Interestingly, selling of livestock is primarily to generate income. Individuals who do not need to generate extra income hold onto their livestock.
  • Livestock in Ethiopia refers to cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry. Before looking at the process of buying livestock in Ethiopia, however, take note of the different livestock breeds below.

Cattle breeds

The most common breeds are:

  • Abigar – This breed is kept mainly for milk. It is found on the border of Ethiopia and Sudan.
  • Horro – This breed is also called Wallega or Wollega, and is native to Ethiopia. It is kept for milk, meat, and draft.
  • Fogera – This indigenous breed is found mainly on the Fogera plains in the Amhara region. It is kept for draft, milk, and meat.
  • Begayt – This is an indigenous Ethiopian cattle breed, and is found in the Western Tigray region. It is kept for draft, milk, and meat.

Goats and Sheep

  • Ethiopia has 15% of Africa’s goat and sheep population. Goats are kept for milk and meat in the lowlands, and for meat in the highlands. Goat breeds include Abergelle, Long-eared Somali, Nubian, Gumuz, Keffa, Afar, etc.
  • The main sheep breeds include Abysinnian, Chello, Agew, Afar, etc.

Poultry

  • The main chicken breeds in Ethiopia are Tepi, Tikur doro, Gebsima doro, Horro, Jarso, Kei doro, etc.

Next, take a look at the prices to expect when buying livestock in Ethiopia.

Cattle prices

  • A calf goes for between 11,000 birr and 15,000 birr.
  • A medium-sized cow goes for between 18,000 birr and 25,000 birr.
  • A large animal is priced at between 25,000 birr and 35,000 birr.

Goat prices

  • Goats are sold at between 2,500 and 5,000 birr.

Chicken prices

  • A moderately sized chicken is normally priced at between 350 and 500 birr.

Sheep prices

  • Sheep are priced at between 2,500 and 5,000 birr depending on the size and origin.

Markets

  • The last thing to consider when buying livestock in Ethiopia is where to purchase them. There are livestock markets in every town and several in rural areas. Some markets are designated for cattle only, and others for sheep and goats. It is therefore prudent to find out what is sold at a particular market before making the trip. 

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Related

Filed Under: Livestock Tagged With: Ethiopia, Livestock

Primary Sidebar

Top Posts & Pages

  • How Much is a Cow in Nigeria in 2025? A Detailed Guide
    How Much is a Cow in Nigeria in 2025? A Detailed Guide
  • Goat Prices in Nigeria: A Guide for Buyers and Sellers
    Goat Prices in Nigeria: A Guide for Buyers and Sellers
  • Buying Livestock in Nigeria? Check out this price guide!
    Buying Livestock in Nigeria? Check out this price guide!
  • Top 10 Poultry Farms in Nigeria
    Top 10 Poultry Farms in Nigeria
  • Best 10 Dairy Farms in Kenya
    Best 10 Dairy Farms in Kenya
  • Top 10 Poultry Farms in Ethiopia
    Top 10 Poultry Farms in Ethiopia
  • Buying Livestock in Ethiopia – The Only Guide You Need!
    Buying Livestock in Ethiopia – The Only Guide You Need!
  • M-Farm
    M-Farm
  • Types of Farming Systems in Africa
    Types of Farming Systems in Africa
  • Top 10 Poultry Farms in Kenya
    Top 10 Poultry Farms in Kenya

Follow Us!

Africa Farming

Blogroll

  • Farming Resources
  • Ghana Trade
  • Kenya Scholarships
  • Secondary School Rankings
  • The African Christian

Footer

  • Privacy Policy
  • Commodity Prices
  • About Us

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in