Chinese meat requirement increasing rapidly

Chinese meat requirement is increasing rapidly with the growing economy as they are turning away from their traditional diet of rice and vegetables. George Sun, Chairman, Jinan Kemp International Trading Company stated this at a meeting with Shah Faisal Afridi, President Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chinese while Wang Zihai, President All Pakistan Chinese Companies was also present on the occasion.
He said Chinese farmers are unable to keep pace with demands of meat, as only 14 percent of China's land is available for maintaining livestock. As a result, China is short of all three basic requirements, ie land, water and feed, he said adding that China has no way but to import meat from the international market.
Wang Zihai said currently China is importing meat from Vietnam, Brazil and Australia, thus in such a competitive environment there is a great possibility for Pakistan to initiate production of good quality meat to meet the Chinese market demand. In view of rising demand, China is already considering to import meat from Pakistan, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Shah Faisal Afridi said Pakistan has the potential to increase its export and earn foreign exchange by promoting high quality meat world-wide. Pakistan has the fourth largest livestock population in the world with 180 million animals growing at 4.2 percent annually. Moreover, there are above four dozens breeds of sheep and goats that have helped Pakistan become second largest goats' meat producing country. But, our exports are still below the existing potential mainly because of having limited techniques and skilled labour. He said the government should seek Chinese co-operation for enhancing technical skills and livestock techniques of international standard.
He urged the government and private sector to create state-of-the-art slaughter houses to attract the Chinese market. "We can develop specific brand as per Chinese requirement. With the meat export to China, we can contribute millions of dollars to the national economy," he maintained.