Somalia exported a record five million head of livestock to Gulf markets in 2014, the highest number in the past 20 years, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

A 9-year ban on live animal exports was lifted in 2004 and now the sector makes up 40 per cent of the country’s earnings or GDP.

Rudi Van Aaken is a senior officer with FAO’s office for Somalia based in Kenya.

Sandra Ferrari began by asking him why Somalia was originally banned from exporting livestock.

Duration: 3'03"