Aurangzeb Urges Pakistan To Expand Poultry Exports Beyond $24m
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has urged the domestic poultry industry to modernize workflows and expand its export footprint, noting that Pakistan's status as the 11th-largest global poultry producer has yet to yield a proportional share of international markets. Addressing as chief guest at the 26th International Poultry Exhibition at Lahore’s Expo Centre on Saturday, Aurangzeb highlighted that poultry exports accounted for just $23–24 million out of Pakistan's total meat export earnings of approximately $530 million in FY2025–26. The finance minister outlined a strategic target for Pakistan to break into the top 10 global producers and eventually advance into the top five, pointing to export potential across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia (specifically Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), and Southeast Asia. However, unlocking these markets will require addressable structural changes beyond taxation, including reduced feed and input costs, modern processing facilities, strict disease control, and reliable cold-chain infrastructure.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has called for measures to expand Pakistan’s poultry exports, saying the country’s position as the world’s 11th-largest poultry producer has yet to translate into a significant share of international markets.
Addressing the 26th International Poultry Exhibition at Lahore’s Expo Centre, Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s poultry industry had considerable potential to contribute to export growth, but its presence in overseas markets remained limited.
The minister said poultry products accounted for approximately $23–24 million of Pakistan’s total meat exports of around $530 million in fiscal year 2025–26. He said the country should aim to enter the world’s top 10 poultry producers and eventually move towards the top five.
Target Markets and Structural Reforms
Aurangzeb identified the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia and Southeast Asia as potential destinations for Pakistani poultry products. He specifically mentioned Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as markets offering opportunities for export expansion.
However, he stressed that improving export performance would require more than changes in taxation. The industry needs stronger disease prevention, lower feed and other input costs, modern processing facilities and reliable cold-chain infrastructure to meet international market requirements.
Tax Engagement and Industry Outlook
The finance minister said the government was willing to engage with industry representatives on taxation concerns ahead of the next federal budget. He also emphasised the need to prevent sales tax evasion, saying revenue recovered through stronger enforcement could help support sectors with substantial growth potential, including poultry.
Pakistan’s poultry industry supplies a significant share of domestic demand for animal protein, but expanding exports will require consistent product quality, effective disease surveillance, internationally recognised processing standards and reliable traceability systems. Industry representatives have also called for greater certainty regarding the availability of imported feed ingredients such as soybean.
The government’s broader export strategy will need to connect producers with international buyers while improving compliance with food safety and halal certification requirements. Expanding processed, packaged and branded poultry products could also help Pakistan capture more value from its production capacity.
