February 22, 2011

 

Livestock smuggling, rising meat exports boost Pakistani meat prices

 

 

Pakistan'sinability to stop smuggling of livestock to neighbouring countries and rising meat exports have led to a sharp rise in prices in the local market, according to statistics.

 

The situation has pushed meat prices up to PKR360 (US$4.21) a kg from PKR170 (US$1.99) a couple of years ago, making the commodity beyond the reach of the poor.

 

"There are scant buyers for meat because of a big increase in prices," said Akbar Ali, a meat seller at a market in Islamabad.

 

According to statistics, the country has exported 320,489 animals since May 2009. Commercial export of meat was allowed about 19 months ago despite the fact that prices in the local markets had started going up.

 

A total of 70,440 head of cattle, 64,849 buffaloes, 184,777 goats and sheep and 423 camels have been exported over the past couple of years, the statistics compiled by the ministry of livestock and dairy development showed.

 

A senior official in the commerce ministry said that the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet had been requested to slap a ban on export of animals.

 

"Our request has not been entertained by the ECC as the minister for livestock wants the exports to continue," the official said.

 

The unchecked export of animals has also affected the local leather industry as it is not getting enough tanned leather which is used in manufacturing of value-added products for exports.

 

Three factors are fuelling meat prices in the domestic market: export of meat, export of animals, and smuggling of animals to neighbouring countries, said Khursheed Ahmed Qureshi, president of All Pakistan Jamiatul Qureshi Meat Welfare Association.

 

Qureshi questioned the government's logic for allowing exports of animals and meat at the cost of domestic consumers.

 

He said India had imposed a ban on exports of animals and frozen meat to Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. He said a ban on exports of animals and meat should be imposed by the government at the earliest.