Mongolia’s 160.9 thousand herding households and their 66.6 million head of livestock are bracing for what is expected to be another tough winter. This year, as a result of the scorching summer and resulting poor harvest, there is simply not enough hay to feed the animals over the cold period. The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry has prepared 850 thousand tonnes of hay, which falls short of the 1.2-1.4 million tonnes required. The only solution is for the country to import another 400 thousand tonnes.

Earlier today (30 November), the State Great Khural (parliament) approved a project for providing a tax exemption on 225 thousand tonnes of hay and 10 thousand tonnes of fodder imports. It is expected that this will ease the problem significantly.