November 13, 2012

Pakistan has been the transition point for India, Brazil and US food and poultry shipments to Afghanistan but limiting export locally.

Resultantly, the local industry is rapidly closing down, as Afghanistan is the consumer market of Pakistan, which is now being captured quickly by other countries including India due to weak policies, poultry industry experts said. They stated that the Pakistan Poultry Association requested the government to allow export of breeder stock instead of broiler stock, if it feels that export to Afghanistan is creating shortage of poultry products in the country.

Poultry industry experts added that 10% of the parent stock was used in Pakistan while 90% was consumed by Afghanistan. Hence, the ban on export of poultry products will force farmers to dispose their stock below market cost, leading to significant loss and ultimately closure of the whole chain of poultry industry. By imposing ban on poultry product exports to Afghanistan, the chicken rate has been disrupted. Poultry products are said to be available at most economic rate in Pakistan as compared to the rest of the world. In The poultry industry has also suggested that the government withdraw subsidies from other utilities and provide maximum benefit for oil to the public.

On average, the country produces around three million broilers as breeders are suffering losses on a daily basis.  Poultry at present contributes 40% of the total meat consumption and generates employment and income for about 1.8 million people.