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By Zafar Hussain
BEIJING, Jan 24 (APP):Pakistan’s exports of boiled meat to China surged 177 percent year on year in export value in 2025, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), highlighting a sharp expansion in bilateral agri-food trade and China’s growing appetite for diversified, halal-certified protein products.
Chinese customs data shows that Pakistan shipped 2.38 million kilograms of boiled beef under HS code 16025090, with exports valued at $14.52 million. Exporters said the sharp rise reflects improved market access for Pakistani meat processors, stronger compliance with Chinese sanitary and halal standards, and rising demand across China’s major consumption centres.
Within China, the top destinations were primarily economically advanced, high-consumption regions. Jiangsu Province emerged as the largest market for Pakistani meat products, importing nearly 1.0 million kilograms worth $5.08 million. It was followed by Zhejiang Province, which imported 458,595 kilograms valued at $3.66 million, and Tianjin, with 510,520 kilograms worth $3.50 million. Significant volumes also entered Guangdong Province, China’s largest consumer market, along with smaller but growing shipments to Xinjiang, Shandong, Hainan, and Hunan.
On average, Pakistan’s meat exports to China were priced at approximately $6.11 per kilogram, positioning the country competitively while supplying value-added products rather than low-margin raw meat. Industry analysts said this price–quality balance has made Pakistani products attractive to Chinese importers serving food processing, catering, and retail segments.
Experts attribute the rapid increase to multiple factors. Chinese consumers are increasingly shifting toward ready-to-cook and processed meat products, while Pakistan has expanded the number of export-approved slaughterhouses and processing facilities that meet Chinese regulatory requirements. Improvements in cold-chain logistics, smoother customs procedures and the use of bonded trade channels—particularly through Hainan—have also reduced delivery time and costs.
Compared with other suppliers, Mongolia remained China’s largest import source of prepared bovine meat in this category, shipping 4.37 million kilograms valued at $18.53 million, largely benefiting from geographic proximity and border trade with Inner Mongolia. Mongolia’s meat exports to China were priced at approximately $4.23 per kilogram. By contrast, the United States exported only 18,099 kilograms worth $68,033, reflecting a different market focus and product mix.
Industry observers noted that Pakistan has substantial room to further expand its footprint in the Chinese market. Moving up the value chain through seasoned and portioned products, investing in cold-chain infrastructure, strengthening branding partnerships with Chinese distributors, and accelerating certification of additional processing plants could significantly boost exports in the coming years.
Abdullah, a Pakistani meat exporter to China, said demand is rising across China’s coastal and inland provinces alike. Pakistan’s 2025 performance, he added, signals a structural shift toward more stable, large-scale meat exports to China, reinforcing the growing depth of economic cooperation between the two countries.