Pakistani beef makes its way to China

June 14, 2023 (MLN): In a major breakthrough, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has allowed Pakistani meat exporters to export boiled beef to the Chinese market, according to the official statement issued by GACC. 

This development will allow Pakistani exporters to tap the $15 million Chinese market, Mr. Moin ul Haque, Pakistan's Ambassador to China said on Tuesday.

"It is opening up a new product line in a new destination through value addition. A lot of room to expand in this direction," CEO TOMCL, Mr. Faisal Hussain said while speaking to Mettis Link News.

GACC also issued the guidelines for Pakistani exports as per which the beef must be originated from cattle younger than 30 months, and the meat must be boneless, having undergone a stringent heat treatment process.

Furthermore, the center of the meat should reach a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes.

The production enterprises of heat-treated beef have to be located in Pakistan and operate under Pakistani official supervision, adhering to the veterinary health and public health regulations of both China and Pakistan, the notification reads.

Before exporting heat-treated beef to China, the producer must be registered with China, and only the heat-treated beef produced after the registration date is allowed for export.

The statement also provided details regarding extensive requirements for animal disease management, processing conditions, storage, certification, packaging, transportation, and labeling. 

Undoubtedly, the access of Pakistani beef to the Chinese market represents a milestone in China-Pakistan economic cooperation.

With the continuous development and deepening of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), more Pakistani agricultural products are expected to enter the Chinese market.

This new development follows the earlier agreement for the export of Pakistani cherries to the Chinese market, further illustrating the mutually beneficial economic relationship between the two countries, as reported by China Economic Net.

To recall, in May 2023, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research proposed the name of three processing plants including The Organic Meat Company Limited (TOMCL), TATA, and Fauji.

Of three of them, TOMCL is a leading exporter of beef, mutton, camel meat, and offal products from Pakistan.

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