ULAN BATOR, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has officially commenced the export of live sheep to Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in agricultural trade between the two nations, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry.
The initiative stems from an agreement made during Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh's state visit to Uzbekistan in June, the ministry said in a statement.
During the visit, the two countries' leaders pledged to enhance cooperation in agricultural trade, specifically in the supply of wool, cashmere, leather, meat, and meat products from Mongolia to Uzbekistan and, through Uzbekistan, to other Central Asian markets.
As part of this agreement, Mongolia committed to exporting 100,000 live livestock to Uzbekistan, according to the ministry.
"The agreement has now been officially implemented, and the first shipments have already begun. Since Dec. 21, Mongolia has transported 1,440 live sheep to Uzbekistan on two flights," the ministry said.
Promoting livestock husbandry is considered a key strategy for diversifying Mongolia's mining-dependent economy.
As one of the world's last remaining nomadic nations, Mongolia had 64.7 million livestock at the end of 2023, with sheep making up 45.5 percent of the total, according to the National Statistics Office. ■
