With around 61 million livestock, Mongolia has the potential to become a major exporter of meat. The Mongolian government has approved the export of sheep and goats from those provinces which are free from any livestock diseases. Naturally, this will boost the local economy and benefit the herders. It was noted that breeding stock would not be exported in order to protect the gene pool. Other factors taken into consideration include growth statistics for the herds and the availability of adequate hay and fodder.

According to the study, Mongolia currently uses 11 million head of livestock for annual domestic consumption. Furthermore, the country has the potential of about 6 million head of livestock for export, without threatening the gene pool of domestic animals.

Mongolia has established meat export agreements with China, Russia, Vietnam and Iran, under which 18 thousand tons has already been supplied. The government has requested to China to inspect its 36 meat-processing plants.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry estimated that 27.4 thousand tons of meat – 13.6 thousand tons of mutton and 13.8 thousand tons of goat meat- will have been exported in 2017.