Poultry Sector Needs Export Strategy, Says Industries Adviser at IPEX 2026
Poultry Sector Needs Export Strategy, Says Industries Adviser at IPEX 2026
Pakistan’s poultry industry needs a formal poultry export strategy to move beyond the domestic market, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan said on Thursday. He was addressing the International Poultry Expo (IPEX) 2026 at the Expo Centre in Lahore.
Poultry export strategy: what the government wants
Khan said the industry underpins food security, employment and economic growth, and had stayed resilient despite high production costs, disease challenges, energy pressures and uncertainty. But future growth, he argued, would come from selling abroad, not just at home.
He called for uninterrupted availability of feed and soybean imports with clear timelines, and for opening access for processed, packaged and branded halal poultry products. That push, he said, would rest on halal certification, disease surveillance, international processing standards and traceability, alongside stronger biosecurity and efficient cold chains.
A practical export roadmap will now be developed with the Pakistan Poultry Association, covering priority markets, the approvals needed, industry capacity and who does what. The roadmap is meant to give exporters a clear sequence: which markets to target first, what certifications those markets demand, and how processing and cold-chain capacity will be built to meet the orders.
Khan stressed that the strategy had to be industry-led in execution, with the government clearing regulatory bottlenecks rather than running the trade itself. For farmers and processors, the immediate asks are predictable input supplies and a transparent certification regime that foreign buyers trust.
Why it matters
Poultry is one of the cheapest sources of animal protein for Pakistani households, and the industry employs large numbers across farming, feed milling and processing. An export strategy built on halal certification could open Gulf and Central Asian markets where demand for certified products is rising.
Frequently asked questions
What did the industries adviser announce?
Haroon Akhtar Khan called for a comprehensive poultry export strategy at IPEX 2026 in Lahore, with a practical roadmap to be developed with the Pakistan Poultry Association.
What will the export strategy cover?
Priority export markets, required approvals, industry capacity, halal certification, disease surveillance, processing standards, traceability, biosecurity and cold chains.
Where was the announcement made?
At the International Poultry Expo (IPEX) 2026, held at the Expo Centre in Lahore.
Why does halal certification matter for exports?
Many target markets require certified halal products, so recognised certification, disease surveillance and traceability are prerequisites for Pakistani poultry to compete abroad.
