Halal meat export has fetched foreign exchange of US $ 230.2 million during 2013-14, showing almost 9 per cent increase as compared to same period last year. The export of Halal meat during fiscal year 2012-13 was US $ 211.1 million, however, the steps being taken by government in the sector resulted in registration of growth.
Sources at Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said during last fiscal year, the export of other food items contributed US $ 4393.7 million. It said the export value of some food items like rice, fish, fruits and oil seed had increased whereas export value of vegetables, tobacco, wheat, sugar, spices had registered decrease.
With regard to measures adopted to increase export of meat and food, they said the ECC of cabinet in its decision imposed ban on commercial export of live animals from the country. The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) conducted trainings/workshops/seminars for capacity building of growers, processors and exporters and provided support to horticulture industry for country specific Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) compliance.
The other incentives announced under Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) included 50 per cent subsidy on cost of plant and machinery for processing of meat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan besides subsidizing 50 per cent cost of plant and machinery for establishing processing plants for meat, fruits, vegetables, dates etc and up-gradation of rice inspection labs.