Chasing market share: ‘Halal meat export can rise by 55%’

LAHORE: The growth rate in Pakistan’s halal meat export last year was 34 percent, which could be raised to 55 percent, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Vice Chancellor Prof Talat Pasha. Last year, the total worth of Pakistan’s red meat export was $120 million, which could be increased as the halal meat export industry was expanding sharply the world over, the vice chancellor added. He said that a plan was being implemented to boost buffalo meat export for high-end consumers, which would boost meat farming in Pakistan. Prof Pasha said that proper meat farming was conspicuous by its absence in the country and animals were being exported after slaughter, without being cut or packed properly. The vice chancellor said that quality meat of calves would be presented at an exhibition being organised by Punjab Halal Development Agency and the UVAS in May where diplomats and businessmen would be invited. The project has been financed by the USAID. Prof Pasha said that the halal industry was rapidly growing the world over with a total trade volume of $3 trillion, however, Muslim states had only a 20 per cent share in the industry. The vice chancellor said that there was great potential in Pakistan to take a sizeable share of the halal meat export market.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2014.