ISLAMABAD: Pakistan targets 5.219m tonnes of meat production in FY21-22, WealthPK reported on Wednesday.
The report says, Pakistan has a great potential to increase meat exports and earn a handsome foreign exchange by promoting its high-quality halal meat all over the world.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), meat and meat preparations worth $78.3 million were exported during the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY22).
The overall exports [of meat and meat preparations] during the last fiscal year (FY21) stood at $333.4 million, which were approximately 10% higher than in the previous year. The current production volume could be around 4.9 million tons, taking into consideration an average growth of 4.9% per annum.
The Government of Pakistan has set a target of producing approximately 5.219 million tonnes of meat for the current fiscal year to cater to the domestic demand and meet the export targets. Export of meat and meat preparations is anticipated to reach $500 million by the end of the current fiscal year after getting access to the Indonesian and Jordanian halal meat markets.
Much of Pakistan’s exports go to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries besides Malaysia, Central Asia, and now Jordan. Indonesia is also planning to open its market to Pakistani halal meat, WealthPK added.
The spokesperson for the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) told WealthPk that they had requested the government to boost the export of halal meat from Pakistan to China.
He said there was a dire need for devising a concrete strategy for the promotion of exports in consultation with relevant stakeholders, as Pakistan lagged behind in the industry due to a limited number of skilled labour and lack of modern techniques.
In February 2020, the Malaysian authorities approved two Pakistani establishments for the export of meat and its allied products. In October 2021, Jordan also approved three Pakistani meat processing companies.
According to reports, Pakistani exporters will be able to achieve a 25% share in the Jordanian meat market, which will help the country to add approximately $100 million to the export revenue.
In December 2021, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industry Abdul Razak Dawood welcomed the approval of 10 Pakistani slaughterhouses by Egypt’s Veterinary Quarantine Department for meat import.
In Pakistan, traditional management practices are employed for meat production, making it less productive.
Experts and economists suggested that the farmers should be properly trained to get maximum financial benefits.
The Sindh Agriculture University has also decided in consultation with investors to initiate new degree courses for the preparation of meat as per international standards.
Pakistan has the potential to earn billions of dollars from meat export but the players require a favourable working environment and supportive regulatory framework. -INP
