Govt gives nod to special livestock farms for export push

October 06, 2026 (MLN): The government has approved the establishment of special farms to raise imported livestock for export, along with restructuring of the livestock sector on corporate lines, as part of a push to lift the country's livestock and meat exports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave the go-ahead while chairing a review meeting on livestock sector reforms in Islamabad on Monday, said a press release issued.

He directed that superior-breed, high-yielding animals be imported and raised at these farms for export, and that their import be made duty-free.

A modern tagging system will be introduced to ensure that livestock raised at the farms is actually exported. The reforms will be prepared and implemented with the expertise of private-sector professionals.

The Prime Minister said more than 60% of the country's agriculture sector rests on livestock, which carries significant export potential.

He directed that an action plan with specific targets for eliminating foot-and-mouth disease be prepared and submitted within two weeks, and instructed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to work with provincial governments to tackle livestock diseases.

He also called for international certification of slaughterhouses across the country, backed by third-party validation of compliance with global standards.

Shehbaz Shehbaz further directed that the entire value chain be improved to support the meat and livestock export industry, and asked the authorities to set and present export targets for meat, livestock and related products.

The meeting was told that Pakistan has around 245mn head of livestock with an estimated total value of Rs5.5tr.

The sector contributes 14.97% to the national economy and 63.6% to the agricultural economy, while annual output stands at around 74.69mn tonnes of milk and 6.31mn tonnes of meat.

Around 8mn rural households are associated with livestock, though small-scale farming and fragmented supply chains continue to limit export potential.

Participants were informed that meat exports reached around $530mn in the last fiscal year, with the bulk shipped to Gulf countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.

Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, China and other countries were identified as promising new and expanded markets.

The meeting was also briefed on measures to raise livestock and meat exports, including animal disease surveillance and traceability, foot-and-mouth disease-free zones and compartments, vaccination and digital disease surveillance, export-grade farms, and international health and halal certification systems.

The government is also focusing on feedlot farming, cold chains, deboning, value-added products and export infrastructure, with a target to further increase meat exports by 2028.

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