Pakistan's poultry exports lag despite industry's growth potential, says Aurangzeb

Pakistan's poultry industry possesses significant growth potential, but faces challenges in disease management, feed costs, and cold-chain logistics, according to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. During an address at the 26th International Poultry Exhibition, Aurangzeb highlighted that poultry exports contributed to approximately $23–24 million of Pakistan's total $530 million meat exports.

This figure underscores the industry's vast potential, not only domestically but globally. Aurangzeb pointed out that Pakistan ranks as the world's 11th largest poultry producer and questioned how the country can ascend to the top 10 and then the top five globally. He identified the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia as promising markets for Pakistani poultry products, emphasizing that the industry could bolster the nation's meat exports.

The minister also noted the emergence of new opportunities in Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Southeast Asia. Aurangzeb assured the audience that the government is committed to addressing industry concerns, including taxation. While acknowledging that taxation is just one aspect of the challenge, with other critical areas requiring attention such as disease prevention, feed and input costs, processing facilities, and cold-chain logistics, he stressed the importance of a comprehensive strategy to unlock the industry's domestic and international potential.

Aurangzeb warned against tax evasion, stating that the recovered revenue from curbing such practices will be utilized to support growth sectors like poultry.