Northern Africa

Livestock is a vital economic sector in Northern Africa, serving as a key source of income, nutrition, and employment, particularly for rural households. It contributes significantly to agricultural GDP, with dairy and beef value chains playing a central role in food systems and livelihoods. Beyond its economic value, livestock in the region holds deep cultural and social significance, especially in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.

Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritania are the leading cattle-producing countries in the region. Together, they account for a substantial share of North Africa’s cattle herd. The region’s dairy cattle systems produced about 18 million tonnes of milk in recent years, with dairy cattle contributing over 77 percent. Milk consumption patterns vary, but dairy remains a primary source of animal protein, especially in urban diets. Cattle are raised across diverse agro-ecological zones, from irrigated Nile Delta farms to arid rangelands, covering millions of hectares.

Countries