KEY POINTS
- The development highlights Pakistan’s expanding footprint in Central Asian markets.
- Trade facilitation efforts are expected to raise bilateral trade to $300 million.
- Pakistan is actively diversifying and expanding its halal meat exports globally
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to significantly boost its agricultural and food exports as it prepares to export 143,000 tons of halal meat to Tajikistan, a move expected to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
The export consignment, valued at approximately US $14.5 million, highlights Pakistan’s growing capacity in the halal food industry and its efforts to expand access to Central Asian markets, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.
According to details Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) played a vital role in trade expansion between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Effective trade facilitation measures are expected to expand bilateral trade to $300 million while further strengthening regional economic integration.
In parallel, Pakistan and Tajikistan have made notable progress in educational cooperation, marked by the announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the exchange of students and teachers.
Recently, Pakistan and Brazil also agreed to further expand and deepen their collaboration in the livestock, dairy, and meat industries.
Both sides also agreed to consider the establishment of a joint working group focused on improving meat processing standards, feedlot fattening systems, and traceability mechanisms in line with international best practices.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has set an ambitious target to export halal meat worth $520 million to Malaysia over the next five years, officials said.
According to Officials, halal meat has been identified as a priority sector to boost Pakistan’s exports, and a plan has been devised to supply 130,000 metric tons of meat to Malaysia during this period, generating significant foreign exchange.
Pakistan’s livestock exports, primarily comprising meat and meat preparations, have shown steady growth in recent years.
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According to the latest available official trade data, Pakistan exported meat and meat products worth approximately $512 million during FY 2023–24, with total export volume exceeding 123,000 tons.
These exports mainly include beef and mutton and form the core of Pakistan’s livestock export earnings.
In terms of destination, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the largest importer of Pakistani meat, accounting for the biggest share by value, followed by Saudi Arabia, while other key markets include Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
