Pakistani government is seeking to explore new markets for export of meat and dairy products with a focus on Global Halal Food Trade
With many Muslim countries being dependent on imported meat, Pakistan is aiming to significantly increase its exports, according to The Nation.
The country is focusing on modern and hygienic slaughterhouses in order to maintain the international standards for frozen or chilled red meat. Pakistan is targeting for market access in Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Hong Kong and Indonesia besides the Middle East countries for meat and meat products, said the source.
In 2016, Pakistan exported around US$157mn of beef. According to the industry experts, the country has been producing more poultry products in the last five to seven years. However, it has not been able to market its poultry overseas because of the ban by some countries on the ground that internationally accepted healthy, hygiene and quarantine standards were either not met or otherwise not accredited by the relevant government agencies.
With the UAE lifting the ban on importing poultry and poultry products from Pakistan, the country is expanding to reach other international markets.
FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands-based multinational company, has taken more than 51 per cent of Karachi-based Engro Food Pakistan. According to the source, this is one of the biggest private sector investments in poultry industry of Pakistan, which amounts to around US$450mn. With this, the country hopes to improve export of dairy products in key international market.
