Pakistan can become world leader in meat processing

Lahore: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said Pakistan’s meat processing sector offers good return therefore local and foreign investors should consider investment in it.

Argentine, one of the largest meat exporters, is ready to upgrade Pakistan’s meat processing industry which has a great potential, it said.

Pakistan can figure prominently on the expanding global halal market with little effort in the right direction, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

A high-powered delegation from Argentine is expected to reach Pakistan soon to study the meat processing sector, he informed.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that around 35 million people raise livestock that contributes over 50 per cent of agriculture value-addition and over 11 per cent to the GDP which is far below than the actual potential.

Demand for meat has been increasing due to population growth, urbanisation and rising income but productivity has remained sluggish, he said.

Poultry contributes 23 per cent of the total meat production with around 20 pc annual growth while there are over four dozens breeds of sheep and goats that have helped Pakistan become second largest goat meat producing country after China, he informed.

Beef production remains hostage to insufficient nutrition, want of veterinary coverage, miserable marketing facilities, shortage of inputs, lack financial support and nonexistence of appropriate knowledge in the farming community while shortage of proper feed has taken toll on this sector.

Solution can be improved by increasing productivity of the existing animal resources and improving overall structure of this critical sector, said Dr. Mughal.