At least 25 percent of the world’s population is Muslim and they have specific food code if it comes to the consumption of meat. The global market of halal meat is over $2 billion and it has the potential to rise further in coming years. The demand for halal meat is increasing not only in Middle East, but also in Europe and the United States. Halal meat includes beef, mutton and poultry and is widely used in food manufacturing, food retailing, restaurant chains and food service industry. It also a source of business for logistics handlers, shipping companies as well as monetary sources for banking and finance sectors.
Pakistan has promising halal meat industry which has not only been expanded over the years but also started to get attention of the major global supply chains. All factors are apparently in favour of Pakistan to become a key exporter of halal meat in the global market. According to the economic survey, population of the country stands at 40 million cattle with a four percent annual growth rate. The industry has adequate stock to meet the local demand as well has surplice meat for export. However, a major threat to the industry is smuggling of cattle into Afghanistan and Central Asian States. Thousands of cattle are daily smuggled into Afghanistan through the porous border and this must be stopped.
On its part, the federal government is considering extending income tax exemptions for the halal meat producers in the budget for the fiscal year 2016-17. Stakeholders are given a chance to obtain certificates from the competent authority to get tax exemptions for four years. The halal meat industry of Pakistan has been working as unregulated sector for years with no central authority to give accreditation. It created problems for the halal meat exporters because government certificate is a legal requirement in many countries where the Pakistani businessmen intended to export meat. The quality of Pakistani mutton is better than Indian and Australian mutton.
The government has now set up Pakistan Halal Authority and it is tasked to maintain the standards halal of meat in line with the specifications and the standards set by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The global meat consumption has reached 225 million tons annually and the Pakistan’s share in total halal exports is 5 percent. Pakistan earned $244 million at one point during the last five years. In the age of technology, the halal meat exporters should focus on the export of value added products instead of supply just uncooked packed meat.
