The 14th edition of Ethio Poultry Expo (ETHIOPEX) kicked off on Thursday with a call for joining efforts to expand investment opportunities in livestock and poultry production in East Africa..
Running from October 30th to November 1st, 2025 at Millennium Hall in Addis ababa, the event showcases the latest advancement in poultry equipment, technology and best practices.
More than 120 exhibitors from 18 countries are participating in the exhibition which brought together stakeholders from across the entire poultry value chain- from feed and genetics to animal health, processing and modern technology.
Speaking at the event, Alemayehu Mekonnen, Senior Advisor to the State Minister of Agriculture for Fisheries and Livestock, said the exhibition serves as a catalyst to promote animal husbandry in Ethiopia, including animal feed, animal health, aquaculture, dairy, meat and poultry.
“Ethiopia’s livestock productivity and per capita consumption remain among the lowest globally. The growing demand for the animal products in Ethiopia necessitates a concentrated effort to enhance production and seize this opportunity,” he said.
Poultry farming is deeply embedded in Ethiopian society and is seen in almost all households from the landless rural poor to the affluent urban population. It serves as a significant source of livelihood, food security, nutrition and contributes to the country’s economic development.
According to the Central Statistical Agency, at 54 million birds, indigenous chickens make up the majority of the country’s 59 million chickens. The rest are 2.6 million exotic chickens, and 2.8 million hybrid ones.
However, the country’s poultry productivity is below the global average due to challenges such as high disease prevalence, inadequate veterinary services, limited access to quality and affordable feeds, and suboptimal genetic characteristics of indigenous chickens. There is a significant gap between the demand and supply of poultry products in the country.
Based on the government’s 10-Year perspective plan, the aim is to increase poultry meat production from 48 tons in 2020 to 106 tons in 2030 and boost egg production from 2,854 million to 5,546 million during the same period. The government’s ambitious plan also seeks to increase the share of chicken meat consumption in overall meat consumption from 5 percent to 30 percent by 2030.
Running alongside the ETHIOPEX 2025 were the 10th African Animal Husbandry Exhibition and Congress (ALEC), the Apiculture and Aquaculture Ethiopia and International Trade Show and the 2nd Bio-energy Trade Show.
Leading global and national companies from China, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Tanzania, Kenya and Syria among others joined the expo which primarily aims at enhancing food security, sharing knowledge, and promoting strategic investment in the sector.
MG/as/APA