Food, Meat and Beverage Processing Industries Updates

[ghazi52]

Exporters promised hassle-free meat export​

LAHORE: Punjab Livestock Minister Ibrahim Murad has assured exporters that all obstacles in the way of export of beef, mutton and poultry meat will be removed.

The assurance was given in a meeting between a delegation of meat exporters and the minister which was also attended by Livestock Secretary Masood Anwar and Veterinary University Vice Chancellor Naeem Ahmad.

The minister was quoted as saying that despite being the fourth largest country in livestock production, Pakistan’s share in the world Halal meat trade was nominal.

He pointed out that the lack of a dairy economic processing zone was the main reason behind the failure of not getting a proportionate share in the world halal meat trade worth around $2000 billion.

Govt eyes special livestock zone in Bahawalpur division

He said that Punjab province is the major contributor to the livestock sector in the country and keeping in view its role, caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has desired to establish a special livestock zone in Bahawalpur division.

Mr Anwar, on the occasion, assured the delegation that a one-window facility would be guaranteed for the meat exporters so that they could export maximum beef to China and other countries and earn precious foreign exchange for the country.

Currently, the country’s meat exports are worth $290 million but livestock experts believe that Pakistan can earn Rs50bn annually by exporting halal meat and Rs40bn by exporting sacrificial animals on Hajj.

The livestock sector is an important source of income and livelihood for millions of people in the country and it has a strong infrastructure for the production and export of halal meat with a large number of slaughterhouses and processing plants. The government has already drafted a policy for the development of the livestock industry to make it a major halal food export sector.

Food security, poverty reduction and increase in national income are among the key targets of the policy.

The sector employs more than 8m farmers with only 4 per cent annual growth rate. The sectoral growth has been inconsistent in the past and the government plans a double-digit growth by 2025 with the help of private investment.

The government also plans to boost the number of farm animals, which currently lies at 120m, by importing quality semen from abroad for producing animals that can produce more meat and milk.

 

[ghazi52]

KARACHI: Despite surging domestic prices, the country exported record 100,194 tonnes of meat and meat preparations in FY23 exceeding the previous peak of 95,648 tonnes recorded in FY21.

As per data issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country earned foreign exchange of $427 million in FY23 versus $331m in FY21. The exporters fetched an average per tonne price (APT) of $4,258 as compared to $3,467 in FY21.

The exports rose 30pc in quantity and 25pc in value when compared with 76,868 tonnes ($341m) in FY22 at an APT of $4,436.

Meat dealers continued to blame higher exports as one of the main reasons for pushing up domestic prices.

As per data from the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), beef with bone (average quality) price is now tagged at Rs600-1,050 per kg against Rs400-700 per kg during June 2021.

The national average price of mutton (average quality) swelled to Rs1,400-2,000 per kg from Rs810-1,350 in June 2021.

In the last 12 years, meat-related exports remained in the range of 56,000-85,000 tonnes.

“Linking increase in local meat prices to exports is a misconception created by the market retailers as 100,000 tonnes of exports is just a consumption of 10 days in Pakistan,” CEO PK Livestock, Saqib Butt told Dawn on Saturday.

The meat exports have reached a saturation point rather than showing any significant jump in the last two years, he said, adding that they can rise manifold if we target Iran and Afghanistan through legal channels.

He said new markets like Egypt have emerged in the last one to two months while exporters are also exploring Jordan and Malaysia.

Mr Butt said Pakistani exporters struggling to compete with African countries as they offer competitive prices for shipments to the Middle East.

He said countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya have set up slaughterhouses in the Middle East where Pakistan exports 98pc of meat and meat preparations out of its total shipments. These countries are giving quite a tough time to local exporters.

In case exporters could not tap new markets like Iran, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Egypt and Jordan then exports are unlikely to record any major boost in FY24, he feared.

He said high food inflation has hit the buying power of people and meat consumption is going down. “I observed that the number of animals slaughtered this year during Eidul Azha is lower than last year due to squeezing purchasing power of people,” he added.

Contrary to this, the Economic Survey FY23 says that cattle, buffalo and goat production soared to 55.5 million, 45m and 84.7m during FY23 from 51.5m, 42.4m and 80.3m in FY21. Beef and mutton production rose to 2,544,000 tonnes and 799,000 tonnes in FY23 from 2,380,000 and 765,000 tonnes in FY21.

 

[ghazi52]

Shezan International Limited​

BR Research
October 18, 2024

Shezan International Limited (PSX: SHEZ) is a public limited company incorporated in Pakistan. SHEZ started its operations in 1964.

The principal activity of the company is the manufacturing, trade, and sale of juices, jams, pickles, ketchup, etc. which are based upon or derived from fruits and vegetables.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

The Organic Meat Company Limited

Processing plant based in Karachi,​

Healthy and Sustainable​

We are committed to manage health, safety and environmental (HSE) matters as an integral part of our agriculture business which includes farmers, livestock management, employees, customers, business partners, contractors and the community at large.

Safe and Hygienic​

We believe that the top-most priority should be given to meat produce safety and the Halal meat values. To this end we have crafted an extensive meat produce safety policy and ensure all agricultural business decisions be made in accordance with it.

Fresh and Tender​

We research for the right markets for the procurement of our animals. Ensure their comfortable transport, conduct quality checks on delivery, and allow ample fodder, rest and fattening time with the most healthy animal feed before slaughtering and producing meat to allow for the least stress and shock, and the most tender meat.


The Organic Meat Company currently has following types of meat produce

Fresh chilled mutton carcass
Fresh chilled mutton carcass (vacuum pack)
Frozen mutton carcass
Frozen mutton cuts without bone

 

[ghazi52]

Poultry prospects and broiler boom in Pakistan​

Muhammad Junaid
January 23, 2025

The poultry industry is a key source of protein and a vital part of the livestock economy. Over the past decade, with investments exceeding Rs 1,056 billion, it has achieved an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The industry employs over 1.5 million people.

In 2023, poultry exports reached $2.24 million, while Pakistan imported over 1.5 million tons of feedstuffs, especially soybean meal, to meet production needs. Pakistan’s poultry industry ranks third in South Asia after India’s and Bangladesh’s, where production techniques have improved, and export markets have expanded. Globally, Pakistan is now the eighth-largest producer of poultry chicken, indicating strong potential for growth and development.

This sector comprises domestic poultry, ducks, drakes, and ducklings. The share of total meat production (domestic) of poultry is approximately 40.7 percent. Most commercial poultry in Pakistan are broilers, with about 98%of total poultry production occurring commercially.

Poultry activities are primarily concentrated in Punjab, which accounts for approximately 64 percent of production, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and other regions. Commercial broiler farming in Pakistan is primarily conducted under two management systems: open-sided house systems and environmentally controlled systems.

They estimate that 97–98 percent of the commercial broiler farming industry that uses humans specifically to raise broiler chickens takes place in environmentally controlled buildings with mechanical systems to feed, water, humidify, heat, etc. These facilities can accommodate around 30,000–40,000 birds, each achieving a live weight of 1.5 to 2.0 kg by the end of the production cycle, with a feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranging from 1.2 to 1.6.

 

[ghazi52]

Recently, chicken prices have risen sharply, ravaging daily across district collector (DC) rates, and are dictated by supply and demand. The industry can point out a confluence of interrelated factors plaguing it and can be cited for this inflationary trend.

The poultry sector faces a critical challenge due to its high vulnerability to outbreaks like avian influenza. These outbreaks can devastate flocks, resulting in the culling of millions of birds and casting serious doubts on the stability of the supply chain. This leads to a decreased supply, which, during periods of high demand, can drive prices significantly higher, creating a volatile market environment. Additionally, fluctuating feed prices, which can account for up to 70 percent of total production costs, further exacerbate the issue.

Global supply chain disruptions and local market volatilities have raised feed ingredient prices, especially soybean meals and corn. For example, poultry producers are now facing additional financial pressures due to increased soybean prices by over 30% in recent years.

The market structure is also unregulated, which also increases the price volatility. The constant interactions between farmers and intermediaries are characterized by a chain of many actors: farmers, wholesalers, retailers, transporters, and agents.

The lack of overall chain operations in the value chain results in insufficient oversight, leading to price manipulation and irregularities. However, because of this complexity, there could be significant price discrepancies in different regions, leading to confusion and mistrust among consumers and producers.

In addition, the inefficiencies of the industry drive up costs and spoilage. Losses due to inadequate logistics are estimated to be about 20 percent of poultry products, which burdens consumers. However, we can neither overlook nor deny the role of commission agents in the supply chain.

Often, the fees of these agents are very high, which is eventually passed on to consumers, making the poultry products not affordable. According to reports, commission fees that can make up 10–15 percent of the retail price impact the total cost of chicken.

Broader economic factors, including inflation and currency devaluation, have also driven the rising costs. The increasing expense of feed and other inputs in local currency terms and the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against significant currencies made the poultry farming business extremely difficult.

These considerable challenges of the poultry industry in Pakistan will not deter its future. Several strategic recommendations should be implemented to fully realize its potential and maintain a steady supply of this essential protein source for the population.

The first fundamental step is to set up robust regulatory frameworks that can effectively oversee the poultry supply chain. This would protect us from the negative effects of unregulated market dynamics by implementing a regulated system with clear pricing and quality control standards.

 

[ghazi52]

Increasing poultry logistics infrastructure is necessary to prevent post-harvest spoilage and get products to market on time. Another key recommendation is the diversification of feed sources by encouraging local production of feed ingredients, which reduces dependence on imports and stabilizes the cost of purchases.

Finally, consumer education is critical because knowing the poultry supply chain and pricing mechanism is important. It will increase consumers’ awareness, enabling them to embrace price fluctuations, increase loyalty, and inform them about the purchase act. Through implementing these strategies, Pakistan’s poultry industry will be able to combat current problems and preserve its prosperity tendency and contribution to the country’s economy.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

 

[ghazi52]

The market structure is also unregulated, which also increases the price volatility. The constant interactions between farmers and intermediaries are characterized by a chain of many actors: farmers, wholesalers, retailers, transporters, and agents.

The lack of overall chain operations in the value chain results in insufficient oversight, leading to price manipulation and irregularities. However, because of this complexity, there could be significant price discrepancies in different regions, leading to confusion and mistrust among consumers and producers.

In addition, the inefficiencies of the industry drive up costs and spoilage. Losses due to inadequate logistics are estimated to be about 20 percent of poultry products, which burdens consumers. However, we can neither overlook nor deny the role of commission agents in the supply chain.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan to export 100,000 metric tons of water buffalo meat to Indonesia​

Reuters
February 20, 2025

JAKARTA: Indonesia will import 100,000 metric tons of water buffalo meat from Pakistan, the National Food Agency chief was reported as saying by local media outlet Kontan on Thursday.

The report said Arief Prasetyo Adi had said the decision to buy from Pakistan was due to lower prices compared to India. Indonesia imported water buffalo meat from India last year.

Indonesia aimed to import 180,000 metric tons of beef and 100,000 metric tons of water buffalo meat in 2025, the report said.

 

[ghazi52]

Dubai’s Gulfood 2025 helps Pakistani food and beverage firms plan new products​

Mehreen Shahid
February 25, 2025

DUBAI: The 30th edition of Gulfood - one of the biggest food and beverage (F&B) events in the Middle East - was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre last week, with over one million products on display and featuring almost 5,000 exhibitors from 106 countries, including Pakistan.

For Pakistani F&B companies, Gulfood helps them to understand where innovation is needed and what new products can be brought to market.

“We get to meet people from all around the world,” said Yasir Abdullah Nainitalwala, director business development, Al Khair.

“We get people from countries that aren’t even our target market inquiring about our products.”

Nainitalwala told Business Recorder that his company has been attending the premium food and beverage event since 2014. Each year, visitor and client feedback adds to their research about what new products they should exhibit next.

 

[ghazi52]

Shaking things up

Currently, Al Khair offers shilajit in a liquid and gummy form, but the team is now brainstorming more innovative ways of presenting it to Gulfood visitors. The trick, Nainitalwala said, may be to bring shilajit back in a new form for next year’s exhibit.

Just a few stalls down, Dawn Foods was also looking to shake things up in its frozen bread products.

“We’re looking at increasing our value-added products,” said Adnan Kisat, head of international business, “going beyond naans to maybe pizza naans or other products that would bring millennials into our customer pool.”

The Lahore-based company monitors global trends to determine future product investments, he said, and feedback from Gulfood patrons can help with this.

Kisat said that the premium F&B event has always contributed highly toward expanding Dawn Food’s reach overseas, for both its bread and meat products.

“Every year we come, we find a few more countries that open up,” he noted.

 

[ghazi52]

Muttonheaded: Pakistan’s goat rodeo of governance​

BR Research

Last week, this newspaper reported that a proposal by Pakistan’s celebrated Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to restart live sheep and goat exports to Kuwait was shot down by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). If that’s not government failure parodying itself, what is?

SIFC was supposedly created as the “one-window” solution to Pakistan’s chronic indecision, designed to cut through red tape and unlock investment. But if SIFC’s proposals are just tossed back into the same ECC vortex that’s been choking decision-making for decades, what exactly is the point?

Worse still, ECC’s own verdicts eventually land on the table of the federal cabinet, which itself can do little more than add a stamp to the already-circular file. Layers upon layers of process, committees, task forces, and talking shops—Pakistan’s governance is like an onion: peel away the bureaucracy and you find… nothing.

And what are all these bureaucrats and ministers spending thousands of taxpayer-funded man-hours debating? An industry with a maximum export potential of maybe $100 million a year. In a country drowning in structural crises—historic inflation, collapsing real wages, record-high energy costs, stagnant industrial output, shrinking exports, and an IMF delegation camped out to assess our latest missed reforms—we’re burning precious time arguing over the metaphysical importance of goat exports.

Meanwhile, the state is fighting multiple insurgencies, trying to hold a broken political system together, and positioning itself in the middle of an unravelling global order between China and the U.S.. Yet here we are, splitting hairs over livestock. It’s Baghdad, 1258. The Mongols are at the gates, and the ulema are still debating whether the crow is halal or haram.

And what of the actual issue? The whole justification for banning live animal exports has long been spun as a “food security” measure to keep mutton affordable for the common man. But let’s be honest—mutton has never been the common man’s meal. It’s a status protein, a luxury.

For most Pakistanis, daily protein comes from lentils, pulses, chicken, eggs, and dairy—not roasted lamb shoulders or karahigosht. Mutton is consumed at Eid, weddings, and the occasional splurge meal by the middle and upper classes. Keeping its price “stable” protects elites and the urban rich, not the working poor.

Ironically, while Pakistan has one of the largest goat and sheep populations in the world, that abundance hasn’t translated into broad, affordable access to mutton for the average household. So if the goal of the 2013 live export ban was to prioritize domestic consumption, what exactly has the state been doing for the last 12 years? Certainly not developing the mutton industry.

 

[ghazi52]

Where was the investment in modern fattening farms? Disease monitoring? Breeding programs? Slaughter regulations? Pricing mechanisms that reward efficiency rather than mediocrity? Health inspections? Enforcement of minimum slaughter ages to prevent mass killing of underweight animals? DC rate price controls distort the retail market, while unregulated wet markets sell potentially hazardous meat under zero sanitary oversight.

Compare that with the poultry sector. In just a couple of decades, Pakistan’s poultry industry exploded from backyard coops to a globally competitive, value-added export machine. But not because the state led the way. Quite the opposite—the state simply got out of the way. Poultry thrived because it was left to market forces: private investment, competition, and innovation drove scale and efficiency, not some grand government strategy or intervention.