GWADAR: Gwadar North Free Zone Chinese Company “Han Geng” is all set to export donkey meat to China next month as all inspections criteria, certifications and regulations have been completed successfully.
Han Geng Official told Gwadar pro that first shipment will be forwarded from company infrastructure including recently established slaughterhouse in Gwadar North Free Zone to China in November.
He said that around 50 containers carrying donkey meat will sail from Pakistan to China on monthly basis. Development came after formal lifting of ban on the export of donkey hides to China by government of Pakistan. General Administration of Customs, China conducted online inspection of Hen Geng to seal approval of processes and procedures under prescribed laws.
Pakistan’s first China-led top-notch construction of modern slaughterhouse for donkey meat and hide has been completed at a cost of 50 million dollars.
Groundbreaking took place on 4th May 2024 by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh during unveiling of the Agriculture Industrial Park in Gwadar Free Zone. Ministry for Maritime Affairs official said that donkeys being reared at many farm houses in various parts of Punjab will be slaughtered at state of art Gwadar North Free Zone slaughterhouse. “Their meat and skin will be further processed keeping in view international standards and later be exported to China,” he added
On query, he said that Gwadar North Free Zone Donkey slaughterhouse will lay down the foundation of advance slaughter technology in Pakistan to help secure the disease-free donkey meat with high quality preservation through the cold chain.
Meanwhile, certification of Pakistan Animal Quarantine (Import and Export of Animals and Animal Products) has also been received by Chinese company Hengeng trading enterprise, pharmaceutical company of China to run Pakistan’s first donkey slaughter house in Gwadar North Free Zone. The purpose of this certification is to regulate the import, export and quarantine of animals and animal products in order to prevent the introduction or spread of diseases.
As per certification, animals or animal products prior to import or export are obligated to be detained in quarantine under the control of the Quarantine Officer of government of Pakistan.
In China, there is a significant market demand for donkey meat and hides, particularly as donkey hides serve as a crucial raw material for Ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicinal product. However, China’s domestic donkey farming industry remains small, and current stock levels are insufficient to meet market demands.
As all-weather strategic partners, China and Pakistan have a strong foundation for cooperation. Pakistan, the world’s third-largest donkey-owning country, has a population of approximately 5.8 million donkeys.
Through this partnership, China aims to leverage its expertise in the Ejiao industry to assist Pakistan in formulating a development plan for the donkey industry. This includes establishing a breeding demonstration base, training livestock professionals, setting up a scientific research laboratory for technological innovation, advancing donkey product processing projects, and promoting the export of related products. The initiative is expected to transform Pakistan’s donkey industry into a driving force for local economic and social development. –Agencies
