KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday finalized a new government-backed business plan to expand halal meat exports to Malaysia, setting a target of $200 million over the next three to five years, officials said, as Islamabad works to diversify its export base and tap Southeast Asia’s growing demand for certified halal protein.
Malaysia is among Southeast Asia’s most regulated halal meat markets, relying heavily on imports from Australia, New Zealand and India to meet domestic demand. The country’s halal certification standards are considered a benchmark across the region, with strict requirements on disease control, cold-chain management and slaughtering processes. Gaining deeper access to Malaysia not only expands Pakistan’s presence in a high-value consumer market but also opens pathways into wider ASEAN halal supply chains, industry officials say. Pakistan’s footprint at the moment is extremely limited — the country exported only $38,000 worth of buffalo meat to Malaysia last year — largely due to compliance gaps, animal health issues and a lack of accredited processing facilities.
The new export strategy outlines regulatory reforms, disease control measures and upgraded slaughterhouse standards required to supply Malaysia’s tightly controlled halal market.
“Under the Prime Minister’s vision, a target of USD 200 million in meat exports to Malaysia over the next 3 to 5 years has been set,” according to a statement by the commerce ministry. “A practical business plan has been designed with mutual consultation, and specific tasks with timelines have been assigned to each sector and stakeholder” to reach the $200 million target.
Officials said Islamabad has identified foot-and-mouth disease, weaknesses in processing standards and logistics issues as major barriers that have historically limited Pakistan’s participation in high-value halal markets. Last week, Pakistan said it had begun upgrading its foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) testing capacity, grazing systems and cold-chain infrastructure to pursue halal meat exports to Malaysia.
The meeting agreed that the halal meat sector will be granted industry status, a longstanding demand of exporters that officials say will unlock financing, regulatory support and priority incentives.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan described the new package as the product of broad consensus across public and private sectors, adding that Pakistan’s banking system, provincial governments and the central bank would “play a crucial role” in reducing export costs and offering financial facilitation to industry.
Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan would develop modern slaughterhouses aligned with Malaysian standards, enabling exporters to meet inspection and traceability requirements.
