European market: First Pakistani co gets beef casing export permit

KARACHI: The Organic Meat Company Limited (TOMCL), Pakistan’s meat processing and export industry, has announced that it has secured the permission to export beef casings to Europe. This marks TOMCL as the first Pakistani listed company to accomplish such a feat, opening up new avenues for the nation’s meat export sector.

In a material information disclosure to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), TOMCL told that it has become the first Pakistani company to successfully export beef casing to Europe. This according to the letter, will mark a significant milestone not only for the company but for Pakistani meat processing and export industry.

According to the company website, The Organic Meat Company Limited is a public limited company listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and registered under the Companies Act, 2017. The company is recognized for its expertise in conventional meat production, specializing in beef, mutton, and edible offal sourced from healthy, grass-fed, and free-range animals from Pakistan’s fertile agricultural lands.

TOMCL also owns the largest animal fattening farm in Pakistan and say that it adheres strictly to international meat safety and veterinary standards, regularly undergoing certifications and audits by various international authorities.

The company has already exported meat to key markets such as Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, the CIS States, Oman, Qatar, Maldives, and Bahrain. However, data shows that Pakistan’s share in the global meat trade is minimal, standing at just around 0.2 percent, with annual export earnings of around $300-570 million. Despite a significant growth in bovine meat exports, the country’s share of the global beef market remains low at 0.08 percent. The majority of Pakistan’s exports are in the fresh/chilled category, with 92-98 percent of exports going to six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Experts note that the global demand for Halal meat is increasing due to its quality and nutritional value, with the market projected to reach $375.1 billion by 2030. However, Pakistan’s market share remains minimal, highlighting the need for attention from researchers and policymakers.

The country’s high electricity prices also make it uncompetitive in the international frozen beef market, which is dominated by Brazil, Australia and the US.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025