KARACHI: Exports of meat and meat preparations have continued to thrive despite the presence of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) which has now moved to Punjab after affecting Sindh cattle farms.

Meat exports in April soared to 7,716 tonnes fetching $35 million from 6,386 tonnes valuing $29m in March which was considered as a peak period of LSD. In February, exports were 6,246 tonnes that earned $28m.

However, total meat exports fell 21 per cent to 64,113 tonnes ($284m) in 10MFY22 from 81,561 tonnes ($279m) in the same period last fiscal year. Despite sending low quantities, Pakistani meat earned a good average per tonne price of $4,440 in 10MFY22 as compared to $3,424 in the same period last fiscal year.

Pakistan had seen an all-time high meat export of 95,991 tonnes in FY21 that earned $333m as compared to 83,479 tonnes amounting to $304m in FY20.

Foreign sales soar in March-April despite LSD cases

The Organic Meat Company Ltd (TOMCL) in a stock filing on May 13 claimed that it had become the first company to secure a contract to supply “fresh-chilled bone-in-beef” to Jordan, valuing around $1.6m and the contract would be fulfilled over the course of the next 12 months.

The company also secured a contract to supply “commercially-branded frozen bone-in beef” to Kuwait valuing $6m which would be fulfilled by December. “This is a new line of product which is only being offered from Pakistan by our company,” TOMCL said.

Foreign buyers appear highly satisfied over Pakistani cow meat and meat preparations which hold 90-95 per cent share in the country’s total meat exports mainly to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Muscat, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait etc.

Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association President Shakir Gujjar claimed that “LSD in Sindh is almost well under control but the disease has moved to Punjab.” However, 1.9m cows have been vaccinated in Sindh, he added.

To control the outbreak in Punjab and other provinces during up coming Eidul Azha, he said, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (Livestock Wing) has decided that no animal shall be allowed to move outside the district or area or premises to be defined by the relevant provincial authorities unless carrying a valid vaccination issued by local veterinary officer.

Animals being moved shall be vaccinated against various diseases including LSD, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2022