The government has initiated a comprehensive transformation strategy aimed at unlocking the potential of the country’s halal meat exports and promoting the development of the local livestock sector, with a target to increase meat exports to $700 million by 2028. The initiative is designed to enhance Pakistan’s presence in international halal meat markets while strengthening the livestock industry through value addition, improved standards and greater export competitiveness, said an official in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Strategic Growth Targets
Talking to a news wire, the official said that the strategy forms part of the government’s broader efforts to expand export earnings and support sustainable growth in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Under the transformation strategy, the meat sector is targeted to grow at around 6 percent annually, while exports are projected to rise from approximately $500 million to nearly $700 million by 2028.
The livestock sector is increasingly being positioned as a strategic driver of export-led agricultural growth, with a population exceeding 250 million animals. Local meat exports increased from $196 million in 2015 to around $427 million in 2024, while total meat exports in fiscal year 2025 exceeded $500 million.
Untapped Potential
Despite this progress, Pakistan’s share in global meat exports remains below one percent, highlighting substantial untapped potential in international markets. To unlock this potential, the government has initiated a plan aimed at developing disease-free, traceable and export-oriented meat value chains.
The reform agenda focuses on improving livestock genetics, controlling Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), promoting commercial feedlot farming, strengthening cold-chain logistics and increasing frozen and value-added meat exports, particularly for high-growth markets such as China and the Gulf region, the official remarked.
National Meat Transformation & Export Council
To ensure coordinated implementation, the government has constituted the National Meat Transformation & Export Council as the apex policy and oversight body. The council comprises chief ministers of all provinces alongside key federal stakeholders. The council’s terms of reference include approval of the national roadmap and annual action plans, besides setting targets for production, exports and disease control as well as harmonization of federal and provincial regulations.
The council would also oversee FMD control and traceability systems, facilitate investment in feedlots, processing and cold chain infrastructure, coordinate market access negotiations and conduct quarterly review of implementation progress and inter-agency coordination.
