Pakistan targets $700m halal meat exports by 2028

June 16, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan is set to accelerate its halal meat export ambitions under a broad transformation plan aimed at strengthening the livestock sector and expanding global market share, with officials targeting exports of around $700m by 2028.

According to a Ministry of National Food Security and Research official, the initiative is designed to enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in international halal meat markets while promoting value addition, improved quality standards, and a more export-oriented livestock industry.

The strategy is part of wider efforts to boost agricultural exports and ensure sustainable sectoral growth, according to APP.

He said the livestock sector, which is viewed as a key pillar of export-led agricultural development, currently supports a population of over 250m animals. Pakistan’s meat exports have shown steady growth, rising from $196m in 2015 to around $427m in 2024, while total exports crossed the $500m mark in FY2025.

Despite this progress, Pakistan still accounts for less than 1% of global meat exports, indicating significant untapped potential in international markets, he added.

Under the transformation plan, the sector is expected to grow at an average rate of around 6% annually, with exports projected to increase from roughly $500m to nearly $700m by 2028.

The government aims to achieve this growth by developing disease-free, traceable, and export-compliant meat value chains.

The reform agenda includes improving livestock genetics, strengthening control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), promoting commercial feedlot farming, upgrading cold-chain logistics, and expanding frozen and value-added meat exports, particularly to high-growth markets such as China and the Gulf region.

To ensure coordinated implementation, the government has established the National Meat Transformation & Export Council as the apex policy and oversight body. The council includes chief ministers of all provinces along with key federal stakeholders.

Its mandate covers approval of a national roadmap and annual action plans, setting production, export, and disease-control targets, and harmonizing federal and provincial regulations.

It will also oversee FMD control and traceability systems, facilitate investment in feedlots and processing infrastructure, coordinate market access negotiations, and conduct quarterly reviews of progress and inter-agency coordination.

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