KARACHI, Dec 3: A sudden rise in export of livestock for over one year has not only pushed meat prices higher in the domestic market but has also deprived the tanning industry of much needed good quality raw hides and skins.
The exports of livestock — cow, buffalo, sheep and goat — are finding their way to Gulf states, Iran and Afghanistan where there is a shortage of good quality meat and, therefore, it commands high price.
According to official figures, the export of livestock during 2001-02 registered an abnormal growth of 51 per cent to a value of Rs221 million as compared to 2000-01, when exports of meat stood at Rs146 million.
A rising trend in livestock export also sustained during the first two months (July-August) of current fiscal as exports of animals worth Rs43 million were reported to have been achieved. There is a greater possibility that this trend would go unbridled if the government does not take corrective measures to ensure steady supply of animals in domestic market.
As a result of this the value-added leather industry, including leather garment manufacturers who mostly use raw hides and skins obtained from cow, buffalo, sheep and goat are faced with shortage of raw material and their exports have registered steep decline during this period.
The estimated export of these four categories of livestock is estimated to be more than Rs275 million during the current fiscal (2002-03).
There was a time when animals used to be imported or smuggled from Afghanistan into Pakistan but after 9/11 the situation suddenly took a ‘U’ turn. In Afghanistan the war has seriously affected their livestock.
Pakistan thus ended up exporting instead of importing livestock from Afghanistan and according to official figures during July-August, 2002, animals worth Rs30 million were made their way to Afghanistan. Besides, the smuggling of livestock from Pakistan to Afghanistan has also started in a big way to meet their domestic shortage of animals.
Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PLGMEA) chairman Fawad Ijaz and Pakistan Tanners Association chairman S M Naseem has urged the government to immediately impose ban on export of livestock.
Fawad said that because of export of livestock (through official and unofficial channels) the leather industry is not getting enough raw material.
He further said that quality of animals exported particularly to the UAE is very high and the skin quality of these animals is also superior.
