For decades, exports have been dominated by textiles, rice, and a handful of other commodities. But a sector with equally great — and often overlooked — potential is halal meat. In a global market that values authenticity, Pakistan has a natural advantage: one of the largest livestock populations in the world and a production system that is fully compliant with halal standards from farm to fork.
Pakistan’s Hidden Strength in the Global Halal Market
The global halal meat industry is growing rapidly, driven by a rising Muslim population, ethical food preferences, and stricter traceability requirements. Valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, this market is currently led by non-Muslim countries such as Brazil, Australia, and India — nations that have mastered large-scale production and international marketing. Pakistan’s share, though growing, remains far smaller than its potential.
With the 8th largest cattle herd globally and significant goat and sheep populations, Pakistan is well-positioned to supply beef and mutton to high-demand markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Recent years have shown strong growth, with meat exports climbing steadily and new trade deals opening the door to additional markets.
An Industry That Fuels Many Others
The halal meat sector is not a standalone enterprise — it is the backbone of a much larger economic ecosystem. At least 14 related industries depend directly on livestock and meat processing, multiplying the benefits of growth in this sector.
These include:
- Animal feed production — demand for high-quality fodder supports farmers and feed manufacturers.
- Veterinary services — animal health care, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals ensure healthy herds.
- Farming equipment — machinery and tools for efficient livestock management.
- Transport and logistics — moving animals and meat to markets, processing units, and ports.
- Slaughterhouses and abattoirs — essential infrastructure for hygienic processing.
- Meat processing plants — adding value through portioning, packaging, and freezing.
- Packaging industry — supplying export-compliant materials.
- Cold storage and refrigeration — keeping meat fresh during transportation.
- Export logistics — shipping, freight forwarding, and customs services.
- Leather industry — using hides as a by-product for tanning and manufacturing.
- Pharmaceutical and gelatin industries — using bones and offal for medical and food-grade products.
- Dairy farming — benefiting from dual-purpose animals.
- Organic fertilizers — using manure to enrich agriculture.
- Biogas and renewable energy — turning waste into sustainable energy sources.
By boosting halal meat exports, Pakistan can inject life into all these industries, creating millions of jobs, particularly in rural areas, and increasing the livestock sector’s already significant contribution to the economy.
Barriers Holding Back Growth
Despite its promise, the sector faces multiple challenges that prevent it from reaching full potential:
- Low-value exports — a heavy focus on chilled carcasses instead of processed, high-margin products.
- Disease control gaps — issues like foot-and-mouth disease hinder access to premium markets.
- High production costs — especially due to expensive electricity and fuel.
- Land scarcity — limited dedicated areas for large-scale, modern livestock farming.
- Smuggling and unregulated slaughter — causing loss of quality breeding stock.
- Banking and finance hurdles — making it harder for exporters to operate smoothly.
While government programs such as halal certification bodies, livestock development initiatives, and market-opening trade deals have begun to address these problems, a more targeted, large-scale strategy is required.
A Strategic Way Forward
To transform halal meat exports into a pillar of Pakistan’s economy, the following steps could be decisive:
1. Establish dedicated, disease-free farming zones through public-private partnerships in resource-rich regions like Punjab and Sindh.
2. Provide energy subsidies for farms and meat processing units, similar to the incentives offered to the textile sector.
3. Encourage solar-powered cold chains and processing plants to lower costs and align with sustainability goals.
4. Invest in value addition — training processors in portioning, ready-to-cook products, and premium packaging.
5. Strengthen disease eradication programs to meet the health and safety standards of premium markets.
6. Expand market access through trade diplomacy, targeting high-demand regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Independence Through Exports
Economic independence is the true measure of national strength. By prioritizing the halal meat sector — a field where Pakistan holds natural advantages — the country can capture a larger share of the booming global halal market, boost GDP, and create millions of jobs.
This Independence Day, as we celebrate the sacrifices that gave us freedom, we must also look ahead to building a self-reliant future. With vision, investment, and policy support, halal meat exports can become a flagship of Pakistan’s economic resurgence — turning untapped potential into lasting prosperity.