In June 2023, China gave a nod to allow Pakistan’s boiled beef exports into Beijing’s lucrative 15 billion-dollar boiled beef market.
This was a major breakthrough for Pakistan, as the country has been trying to gain access to the Chinese market for several years. The decision is seen as a sign of the growing economic ties between the two countries.
The majority of this market is currently dominated by Brazil, which is the largest supplier of boiled beef to China. However, Pakistan is hoping to make inroads into this market, as it has a large and growing beef industry.
Of course, there are some challenges that Pakistan will need to overcome in order to successfully export boiled beef to China.
China has strict safety standards for imported food products. Pakistan will need to ensure that its boiled beef meets these standards in order to gain access to the Chinese market.
The meat ought to be bone-free and must have met aseptic processing procedures. It must also come from young cattle aged less than 2 and a half years..
Pakistan has a target of $10-billion in total beef exports to China in the coming years.
Dig deep into the current insights and trends around Pakistan beef prices
In the 2022-23 financial year, ending June 2023, Pakistan exported over 60, 000 metric tons of meat preparations (including boiled beef), an increase of 18% over the previous period in 2021-22.
There is also the issue of free bilateral trade that makes Pakistan beef cheaper in China compared to other countries that export beef to China.Pakistan and China have a standing Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) that cuts across various exports and imports between the two nations. Beef and animal products are among the goods enjoying the advantages of CPFTA. With this agreement, Pakistan beef gains a competitive edge over other beef exporters to China.
Related: China Beef Price Insights
The latest export news of meat from Pakistan to China has been primarily focused on the ratification of the boiled beef export – rightly so. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are other significant developments taking place.
One notable development is the establishment of phytosanitary facilities by China within Pakistan. These facilities play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of beef before it is exported. Moreover, they address the ongoing bio-security concerns, which is instrumental in bolstering confidence in the export process.
Pakistan is recognized as one of the top ten global beef exporters. Nonetheless, the country has lately faced challenges with fears surrounding foot and mouth disease in its cattle population.
Related: Live Cattle Prices in Pakistan