Pakistan's milk and meat output rises in 2009-10

During 2009-10 Pakistan's production of milk and meat (beef, mutton and poultry) was 44,978 and 2,955 thousand tonnes, showing 3.2% and 4.0% growth respectively, over 2008-09.

Of the meat, a growth of 2.2% in mutton, 3.4% in beef and 8.6% in poultry meat was achieved in 2009-10. The production of other products such as hides, skins and wool was satisfactory, according to government statistics.

This performance is attributable to increase in number of animals, better veterinary health coverage through ongoing development projects and high milk and meat prices. However, there is still a need to improve productivity through better animal husbandry practices, provision of veterinary services and attention towards small holders which constitute a majority livestock holders in the sector, officials said.

Pakistan is the fourth largest milk producing country in the world producing around 45 billion litres annually. This potential, however, is untapped as the sector operates mainly in informal way. Most of the milk is consumed in loose/raw shape purchased from small holders leaving minimum profit margin for farmers and having health hazards for consumers, officials added.

Meanwhile, the country's export of meat (beef, mutton & camel meat) from July to January 2009-10 reached US$60.2 million while live animals export was US$13.95 million.

Meat export during 2006-07 was US$47.64 million compared to US$74.4 million in 2008-09, showing an increase of 56%. The Malaysian government has shown interest to import 60,000 tonnes of meat from Pakistan annually.