ULAN BATOR, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's exports of meat and meat products in the first ten months of this year totaled 43,288 tons, up about 20 percent from that of the same period last year, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry.

The destinations of such exports include China, Russia and Iran, local media reported.

Animal husbandry is one of the key sectors of Mongolian economy, as around 40 percent of the country's nomad population still depends on animal husbandry for their livelihoods.

The landlocked country is striving to develop its food and agricultural sector in a bid to diversify its mining-dependent economy, with a goal of substantially raising its meat exports in the coming years.

The Ministry expects 17.9 percent of the country's total livestock animals, or 15.1 million heads of livestock during winter, to be sold and slaughtered for domestic and export markets.