Government launches push to expand meat exports, looks to partner with Malaysia

Pakistan has launched fresh efforts to expand its meat exports, with Malaysia emerging as a key partner in developing the country's livestock sector, improving disease control, and enhancing Halal certification standards.

A high-level meeting on Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in the meat sector was held at the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. The session reviewed ongoing progress and discussed a new policy framework aimed at increasing exports and addressing long-standing challenges in the sector.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan, senior officials from key ministries, and private sector representatives attended the meeting.

The commerce minister said the government was determined to strengthen Pakistan's meat export base and secure access to high-value international markets, particularly Malaysia, which he described as a "low-hanging fruit" for exporters. He said the prime minister had instructed the committee to craft a policy addressing both immediate bottlenecks and long-term structural reforms, according to an official statement.

He said the new framework would focus on disease control, Halal certification, and infrastructure development in coordination with provincial governments and the private sector.

SAPM Haroon Akhtar told the meeting that Pakistan could increase its meat exports to Malaysia to about $200 million annually if existing barriers were addressed. He said Pakistan's competitiveness was weakened by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions and the global ban on bone-in meat exports, which Indian exporters were allowed to ship.

To tackle these challenges, he proposed a two-step plan — an immediate report within four days outlining measures to achieve the $200 million target, followed by a long-term policy within ten days for sustainable sectoral growth.

Food Minister Rana Tanveer assured the meeting that his ministry would extend full support for disease control and livestock improvement. He said Punjab had already made progress in FMD management and feedlot fattening, and similar programmes would soon be launched across other provinces.

The meeting decided to set up four committees to focus on disease control, breed improvement, feedlot development, and government facilitation. It was also agreed that the Ministry of Science and Technology would help ensure international compliance with Halal certification standards, while the Sindh government would play a key role given Karachi's position as the country's main export hub.

Concluding the meeting, Kamal directed all ministries to finalise their inputs within the given timelines. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting research-based planning, public-private collaboration, and improved quality standards to make Pakistan a reliable supplier of Halal meat to global markets.

Earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also showed interest in collaborating with Pakistan on livestock genetics and dairy productivity.

The development followed a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Acting US Ambassador to Pakistan Natalie A Baker. Both sides discussed strengthening agricultural cooperation and boosting bilateral trade.

Hussain highlighted Pakistan's large livestock base, exceeding 250 million animals, and said the sector offered major potential for growth despite recent export challenges. He briefed the delegation on government initiatives to improve animal health and traceability, including the establishment of an FMD-free zone in Bahawalpur.

The USDA delegation expressed willingness to work with Pakistan on genetic improvement programmes for dairy and beef cattle, local vaccine production, and digital farming technologies. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration on hybrid crop research, agricultural mechanisation, and precision agriculture to enhance productivity and sustainability.