STAFF REPORT LHR: The meat export industry in Pakistan is growing with a ratio of 30 per cent every year which can further grow up by proper processing.
“Despite top beef exporting nation in the neighborhood and of the global meat market as competitors so far Pakistan has held its ground successfully in the regional market of Middle East,” Dr Muhammad Hayat Jaspal, Head of Meat and Nutrition of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), told this scribe.
However, in order to enter an emerging market of China and Malaysia, the local meat sector needs to handle more scientifically and technically.
According to him, in 2005 Pakistans meat exports were about $29 million while in 2015 were $243.5 million.
Meat retail sector of the country has also changed its shape within last decade and with increasing interest of consumers in high value hygienic meat primal cuts and meat products, more players are entering the retail sector.
In order to develop the meat industry, the UVAS has established a Department of Meat Science and Technology (MST) which is first of its kind in Pakistan, he claimed.
The department has started its activities with main objectives of education and training of students /industry personnel to cater needs of meat processing industry through improving quality and hygiene standards of meat and meat products in the country.
The department has recently signed an MoU with Punjab Agriculture Meat Company (PAMCO) for conducting student demonstration and research.