Poultry sector needs export strategy

Haroon Akhtar says it must expand global footprint for branded products covering priority markets, required approvals, production capacity and clearly defined responsibilities. PHOTO: FILE Adviser to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has said that Pakistan's poultry industry is playing an important role in ensuring food security, generating employment and promoting economic growth, while also serving as a vital link connecting rural areas with industry, laboratories and markets. He said that time had come for the poultry industry to move beyond meeting domestic requirements and establish a stronger presence in international markets, for which a comprehensive export strategy was essential. Addressing the International Poultry Expo (IPEX) 2026 at Expo Centre Lahore on Thursday, Khan said Pakistan needed a poultry industry that could produce more efficiently, provide affordable nutrition to the people and compete effectively in international markets. He said that despite high production costs, disease challenges, energy-related pressures and uncertainty, the poultry industry had continued to invest and maintain production, reflecting its resilience and national importance. The adviser said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government was working to translate policies into practical outcomes and productive economic activity. He added that increased investment, industrial expansion and creation of employment opportunities were the true measures of success of government initiatives. He stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted availability of feed and other essential raw materials for the poultry industry. Decisions relating to the import of soybean and other critical inputs should be made against clear requirements and within defined timelines to provide greater certainty to the industry. Khan said Pakistan needed to expand access to international markets for processed, packaged and branded halal poultry products. Alongside halal certification, he stressed the importance of disease surveillance, internationally recognised processing standards and comprehensive traceability systems. He said biosecurity was essential not only for protecting poultry farms but also for safeguarding export opportunities, while an efficient cold-chain system was fundamental to maintaining product quality and protecting the reputation of Pakistani brands. "Pakistani poultry products should be of a standard that encourages international buyers to choose them repeatedly on the basis of quality and competitive value," he said. The adviser said that a practical export roadmap would be developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Poultry Association, covering priority markets, required approvals, production capacity and clearly defined responsibilities. Khan said that modern technology, precision feeding, advanced genetics, early disease detection and digital monitoring could significantly enhance the productivity of Pakistan's poultry industry. He urged international partners to contribute to technology transfer, training and development of local supply chains in Pakistan. He said that greater opportunities should also be created for young people in biotechnology, engineering, food science, entrepreneurship and other areas connected with the poultry industry. He said a strong partnership between the government and industry was essential for sustainable growth of the productive sector. Clear priorities, defined responsibilities and an effective follow-up mechanism were necessary for resolving industrial issues and ensuring implementation. "The government's objective is to create a business environment where entrepreneurs can plan for the next decade rather than remain focused on the next crisis," he said. The adviser said Pakistani youth must be provided opportunities to build their future in productive sectors, including poultry, while partnerships established at IPEX 2026 should translate into sustainable investment and long-term business opportunities. He said the decisions being taken today would shape Pakistan's industrial and productive capacity in the years ahead. Khan said Pakistan's path to development lay through promoting quality, competitive and export-oriented production. Pakistani products, he added, should become a source of national recognition in international markets through their quality and excellence.