Pakistan has established a meat export base in 14 countries as the government continues efforts to expand market access and diversify livestock and meat exports across Gulf, Asian and other international markets.
Pakistan establishes meat export base in 14 countries
ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP):Pakistan has established a meat export base in 14 countries as the government continues efforts to expand market access and diversify livestock and meat exports across Gulf, Asian and other international markets.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, Pakistan’s existing meat export markets include Qatar, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Jordan and China.
The Ministry of Commerce is pursuing further market access and addressing foreign-country restrictions through Trade and Investment Officers (TIOs), the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and coordination with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) and relevant authorities in importing countries.
Under the Prime Minister’s Export-led Growth Initiative, the Ministry of Commerce has also undertaken product-market prioritisation, market intelligence and market-access facilitation. In addition to established GCC markets, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon have been identified as diversification opportunities.
Uzbekistan has shown growing potential, with Pakistan’s meat exports to the country increasing from around $15.1 million, or 4,439 metric tonnes, in FY2025 to $18 million, or 6,094 metric tonnes, in FY2026.
Saudi Arabia remains another major market, with Pakistan’s meat and poultry exports reaching $191.5 million in FY2025-26.
Further market-access and establishment work is being pursued with China, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Lebanon in coordination with MNFSR and AQD.
For poultry, Pakistan has sought market access in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while access remains under process for Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Applications concerning table and hatching eggs in Saudi Arabia are also under consideration by the relevant authorities.
China-related applications cover boiled chicken feet, ready-to-eat chicken products and pasteurised egg products, while Vietnam’s country-registration dossier has been submitted for further processing.
The export drive is being supported by TDAP’s 24-month Agri-Exports Marketing Plan covering September 2026 to August 2028. It includes international exhibitions, trade delegations, business-to-business matchmaking, webinars, field seminars and targeted buyer and regulatory delegations.
Planned participation covers major international events including the Saudi Food Show, SIAL Paris, Gulfood, SIAL Shanghai, FoodExpo Kazakhstan, Oman AgroFood, FOODEX Japan, SIAL Canada, Food Africa and Africa’s Big 7. FoodAg 2026 in Karachi is also included as a national buyer-matching platform involving buyers from 80 countries.
The plan provides for 98 webinars and online B2B sessions covering meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, rice, seafood and other priority products, along with 32 field seminars on export compliance and production-related requirements.
Modern-trade initiatives are planned in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while product-development measures include heat-treated beef cuts for China and other value-added products.
From September 2027, exhibitions, delegations and campaigns are planned to continue on an outcome-based basis, depending on confirmed orders, modern-trade listings and successful market-access outcomes.
Sector-specific promotion includes proposed outgoing trade missions to Thailand for meat, dairy and livestock; China for dairy; CIS markets including Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan for meat and dairy; and Brazil for meat and livestock. Incoming delegations from China, Lebanon, Malaysia and Uzbekistan are also envisaged to facilitate inspections, protocols and commercial engagement.
The documents also identify disease control, traceability, animal productivity, meat and milk yields, breed improvement, exportable surplus, logistics, value addition and sanitary and phytosanitary compliance as areas requiring attention to support further export growth.
These supply-side areas require coordinated action by MNFSR, provincial livestock departments, AQD and other competent authorities, while the Ministry of Commerce and TDAP continue to pursue market access, buyer engagement and promotion of value-added products.
