PCJCCI suggests Pak dairy products export to China

LAHORE – The cooperation between China and Pakistan on dairy industry and multifarious demands for high-quality dairy products in China will provide a contemporary path of development for Pakistan’s dairy industry. Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Mr Wang Zihai expressed these views in a think-tank session held here at PCJCCI Secretariat on Sunday. He added, “We have learned that Pakistan is the most important exporter and producer of dairy products in South Asia; whereas, Chinese technologies are low-priced if we adopt the techniques and technology used by China, Pakistan could advance in this industry.” PCJCCI president said that China is willing to explore more about Pakistani dairy industry to see if it has the opportunity to be part of Pakistan in this sector. From 2011 to 2022, China’s dairy imports rose at a compound annual growth of 12.3 percent, and the demand is still expanding. Milk powder, liquid milk, high value-added dairy products such as whey, cheese, butter and cream are also in high demand in the Chinese market. PCJCCI Senior Vice President Ehsan Choudhry said that currently, China’s dairy imports mainly come from New Zealand (40.44 percent), the Netherlands (17.15 percent) and Australia (7.38 percent). Pakistan’s government should support this industry to boost export and domestic production, especially to control the adulteration of loose milk. He asserted that the local farmers are facing many problems, such as a lack of education, latest storage facilities, transfer of milk, and cold storage; the government should come forward to train and educate them with the modern technology. In this way, Chinese consumers’ demands for high-quality dairy products will be satisfied. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economic development, industrial upgrading and industrial chain extension can be expected in the process. PCJCCI Vice President Sarfaraz Butt said: “Animal husbandry is one of the pillar industries in Pakistan. Specifically, Balochistan, where Gawadar Port under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is located in, is with unique advantages of breeding beef cattle and dairy cows.” He added that the construction of epidemic-free area in Gawadar Port is progressing in an orderly way. If the industrial chain of China can be extended to Pakistan, it is expected to achieve win-win outcomes for the dairy industry of both countries. The joint chamber’s Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif said that Pakistan is among world’s top five largest milk producers, with over 60 million tonnes of milk production each year.
Such ventures and exports could definitely add value to Pakistan’s economy.