June 8, 2012

 

Pakistan's 2012 meat export up 13.9%

 

 

An increase of 13.9% has been shown in Pakistan's meat export this year worth US$123.61 million as compared to same period last year.

 

The country earned precious foreign exchange of US$108.54 million through export of meat (beef, mutton and camel meat) last year due to measures adopted to promote the sector.

 

An official at Ministry of National Food Security and Research on Wednesday (June 6) said more than 9,500 exotic animals, 318,768 semen doses and 4,300 embryos of high yielding animals have been imported during last one and half year while new slaughter houses, milk processing and meat processing units have also been established in the private sector.

 

He said future plan for the livestock sector is to persuade the policies to achieve 5% or more growth in meat and 8% or more in milk production through shifting from subsistence livestock farming to market-oriented and commercial farming.

 

The focus will be to encourage and promote high yielding animal's production and their crossbreeding through Artificial insemination services. The future road map has clear milestone in the shape of entering into global Halal Food Trade Market.

 

He said the emphasis is also on improving per unit animal productivity and moving from subsistence to market oriented and then to commercial livestock farming in the country to meet the domestic demand and surplus for export.

 

When asked to comment on its contribution, he said the livestock sector contributed around 55.1% to agricultural value added and 11.6% to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during first this year as against 54.6% and 11.6% during the same period previous year.

 

The gross value added of the livestock sector at constant factor cost has also increased from PKR672 billion (US$7.1 billion) last year to PKR700 billion (US$7.4 billion) during this year, showing an increase of 4%, he added.

 

The official said population growth, increase in per capita income and the potential for export is fuelling the demand of livestock and livestock products and added the rise in production cost has increased the retailer's and consumer's price index for milk, yogurt, meat, eggs, and other items.

 

The official said overall livestock development strategy resolves to foster "private sector-led development" with the public sector providing an enabling environment through policy interventions and playing a capacity building role for improved livestock husbandry practices.

 

He said a Livestock Wing has been created in the Ministry to promote coordination of foreign aid and technical assistance in the livestock sector and related fields, adding that the Wing with its redefined mandate continued regulatory measures that included allowing import of high yielding animals, semen and embryos for crossbreeding.

 

It also included duty free import of veterinary dairy and livestock machinery/equipment, allowing import of feed inputs, and vaccines at zero rates.