Côte d’Ivoire eases import taxes on animal feed to boost livestock, meat production
Government is reducing customs taxes on feed imports and considering a new charge on foreign fish to ease strain on local producers.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Côte d’Ivoire has introduced a partial waiver on customs duties for imported animal feed, aiming to ease rising production expenses for livestock and meat farmers.
The measure, announced on April 2 by Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources Sidi Tiémoko Touré, reduces import duties on feed ingredients from between 7% and 15%, depending on the product.
According to the ministry, animal feed costs currently account for more than 60% of total livestock production expenses, placing significant financial pressure on farmers across the country.
Authorities say the lower tax rates are expected to reduce the cost of importing key raw materials such as corn and soybean meal, making feed more accessible to farmers.
The government hopes that cheaper input costs will improve animal nutrition, raise productivity, and contribute to increased local production.
This tax cut comes as part of broader efforts to modernize the livestock sector through state-led projects.
Among the key initiatives is the Poultry Sector Modernization Project (PMSA), which focuses on enhancing poultry farming techniques and capacity.
Another is the National Slaughterhouse Installation Project (PAVCI), which aims to improve meat processing infrastructure nationwide.
Touré said these efforts are geared toward upgrading how livestock products are produced, processed, and sold in the country.
Côte d’Ivoire is targeting 65% self-sufficiency in animal and fish production by 2026, a significant increase from 26.7% in 2019.
Reaching this target, the ministry estimates, could save the country over US$1.5 billion (KSh228 billion) in foreign exchange currently spent on imports.
At the same time, the government is exploring the introduction of a new tax on imported fish to support the struggling local fisheries sector.
Touré announced the proposal alongside the animal feed tax changes, saying imported fish continues to dominate the market due to its low cost.
In 2023, Côte d’Ivoire imported about 726,258 tonnes of fish worth roughly US$855 million (KSh130 billion), according to customs figures.
In comparison, national fish production stood at just 106,000 tonnes in 2022, based on data from the World Bank.
Officials believe that adding a compensatory tax on imported fish could help shift demand toward local products.
A similar policy introduced in 2009 for imported chicken added a charge of US$1.65 (KSh250) per kilogram, aimed at countering foreign subsidies.
Since then, the poultry industry has seen growth, with the number of birds rising from 57.4 million in 2015 to over 129.4 million in 2023.
The government now hopes that with similar protection, the fisheries sector might see comparable progress.
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