Teshreen: Syria reaches new record in sheep export

Syria exported about 3.5 million sheep in 2005, while importing 50 thousands ones, manager of Syria's Planning and Statistics Department at the Ministry of Agriculture said.

"This is the highest number of sheep exported from Syria in years," Hassan Qatana told Teshreen daily on Wednesday, noting that exports of sheep in 2004 reached about 2.5 million.

The manager clarified that such amount of exports increased sheep prices, positively reflecting on sheep raisers and provided more cash money for better care after sheep all over the country.

"But that was reflected negatively on the consumers because it increased meat prices," Qatana said.

The manager said livestock needs of maize and fodder reach about 800 thousands tons annually. "The ministry does its best to provide sheep raisers with the required amount of maize and fodder at reasonable prices," he added.