Industry Overview

Pakistan is blessed with considerable livestock resource potential, manpower and strategic location. Conceptually, being a Muslim country, Pakistan is considered to be in an advantageous position to tap the growing halal market. Livestock products produced in the country have a competitive price edge and are predominantly almost naturally grown. Hence Pakistan can serve as the halal kitchen of the world. But incidentally, Pakistan has no presence, as yet, in the halal economy which essentially caters to the faith needs of Muslim consumers worldwide. Hence there is a tremendous opportunity to catch up with missed opportunities inherent in the growing global halal market worth $300 billion.

In addition to the export markets, there is immense business potential in the local meat sector as well. Pakistan’s goat meat consumption of 779,000 tons in 2011-12 ranks it among the top 3 in the world. 1.7 million tons of beef consumption in Pakistan is ranked 9th amongst beef consuming nations. In addition, 834,000 tons of poultry meat consumption puts it among the world’s top 20. Although meat consumption in Pakistan is rising, it remains very low by world standards. At just 18 Kg per person per annum, it is less than half of the world average of 42 Kg per capita meat consumption reported by the FAO.
Rapid urbanization, rising income levels and increased awareness presents a viable local meat market size that can be tapped into. The country has a large herd cattle herd size, which is sufficient to meet its local and export requirements.