ADDIS ABABA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has earned 110 million U.S. dollars from meat exports in the first 11 months of the Ethiopian Fiscal Year 2021/2022, which started on July 8, an Ethiopian official has disclosed.

       Export Abattoirs Inspection and Certification Director at Ethiopia Agriculture Authority (EAA) Ayalew Shumet said on Saturday the revenues were earned from the export of 21,000 tons of meat during the stated period.

       Shumet said the 11 months meat exports revenues showed an increase of 31 million U.S. dollars when compared with the same period last fiscal year.

       "The main reason for the increase in meat exports revenues is that we pay special attention to quality and safety," said Shumet, according to state media outlet Ethiopia Press Agency.

       Shumet, however, advised against complacency, stating that there is still much work to be done in terms of boosting the East African country's potential in the meat exports industry.

       The EAA official also disclosed Ethiopia has the potential to export 300,000 tons of meat products annually with annual earning as much as 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

       However, for that projection to be achieved, Shumet said the livestock supply, breeding system and market destinations, have to be improved.