ISLAMABAD, October 9, 2026: Pakistan is accelerating efforts to expand exports of meat, dairy, poultry and livestock products to China, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Gulf markets under a two-year campaign aimed at converting new market approvals into commercial export orders.
Official documents show that the Ministry of Commerce is working with Trade and Investment Officers, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, the Animal Quarantine Department and regulatory authorities in importing countries to remove market-access barriers and secure approvals for Pakistani products.
Pakistan already exports meat to 14 countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iran, Egypt, Jordan and Afghanistan.
The government is also pursuing new or expanded market access under the Prime Minister’s Export-led Growth Initiative in China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.
Uzbekistan has emerged as one of the faster-growing destinations for Pakistani meat. Exports to the country increased from around $15.1 million, representing 4,439 metric tonnes, in FY2025 to $18 million and 6,094 metric tonnes in FY2026.
Saudi Arabia is also becoming an increasingly important market, with Pakistan’s meat and poultry exports to the kingdom reaching $191.5 million in FY2025-26.
Pakistan Seeks New Poultry Access in China, Malaysia and Vietnam
The government is simultaneously seeking broader poultry access in China, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Applications submitted to Chinese authorities cover boiled chicken feet, ready-to-eat chicken products and pasteurised egg products, while Pakistan has submitted a country-registration dossier to Vietnam for further processing.
The move is part of a broader effort to diversify agricultural exports and increase the share of value-added products rather than relying mainly on traditional commodity exports.
Dairy Exports Target Higher-Value Products
Pakistan is also seeking to expand dairy exports beyond conventional milk and cream products.
Current major dairy destinations include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, China, Somalia, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka and Oman.
Official documents identify significant potential in higher-value dairy products such as cheese, butter, buttermilk and yogurt.
Export planners believe moving further into processed dairy could help Pakistan earn higher returns while reducing reliance on low-value bulk shipments.
TDAP Launches 24-Month Agri-Export Marketing Drive
A key part of the government’s strategy is TDAP’s 24-month Agri-Exports Marketing Plan covering the period from September 2026 to August 2028.
The plan includes participation in major international trade exhibitions, business-to-business meetings, buyer delegations, webinars and sector-specific trade missions.
Pakistan plans to participate in international events including the Saudi Food Show, SIAL Paris, Gulfood, SIAL Shanghai, FOODEX Japan, SIAL Canada and Food Africa.
The programme also provides for 98 monthly webinars and online B2B sessions, along with 32 field seminars aimed at helping exporters understand compliance, production and certification requirements.
Separate initiatives are planned to improve Pakistani product placement in modern retail markets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Product-development efforts also include heat-treated beef cuts for China and other value-added meat products designed to meet market-specific standards.
Trade Missions Planned for China, CIS and Southeast Asia
From September 2027 onward, the Ministry of Commerce plans to continue export exhibitions, trade delegations and promotional campaigns based on confirmed commercial orders, retail listings and successful market-access outcomes.
Sector-specific missions are being considered for China, Thailand, CIS countries and Brazil.
Pakistan also plans to host incoming delegations from China, Lebanon, Malaysia and Uzbekistan to facilitate inspections, regulatory protocols and commercial engagement with Pakistani exporters.
Rather than establishing a separate export-facilitation mechanism, the government intends to strengthen the existing Pakistan Single Window and TDAP network.
The system is expected to help exporters connect with international buyers, address certification and packaging requirements, resolve market-specific regulatory issues and coordinate with relevant government agencies.
Disease Control, Traceability Key to Sustained Export Growth
Despite the aggressive market-opening campaign, official assessments acknowledge that Pakistan will need significant domestic reforms to sustain long-term export growth.
Key challenges include disease control, livestock traceability, low milk and animal yields, breed improvement, limited exportable surplus, logistics constraints, inadequate value addition and compliance with international sanitary standards.
These reforms will require coordinated action by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, provincial livestock departments, the Animal Quarantine Department and other technical authorities.
The Ministry of Commerce and TDAP, meanwhile, are expected to continue focusing on opening new markets, improving buyer engagement and promoting higher-value Pakistani livestock, meat, dairy and poultry products overseas.