Islamabad (HRNW)- The poultry industry has informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security that Pakistani eggs are included on the negative lists of Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, affecting the country’s poultry exports.
The committee meeting, chaired by Syed Hussain Tariq, reviewed the livestock sector, meat exports and challenges facing the poultry industry. Secretary National Food Security Amir Ali Ahmed said livestock contributes 15 percent to Pakistan’s total domestic production and 62 percent to agriculture, while 29,000 institutions are active and approved for meat exports.
Officials said foot-and-mouth disease remains a major challenge to expanding livestock exports. A plan approved in 2025 to control the disease is being implemented in consultation with provincial governments and relevant stakeholders.
Poultry industry representatives said rising taxes, the cost of imported soybeans and high duties on poultry medicines have increased production costs. They noted that Pakistani poultry products face higher taxation in the UAE compared with India, while eggs remain on the negative lists of Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. The industry currently exports around 100 containers of eggs and called for diplomatic efforts to remove restrictions and facilitate food licensing for Pakistani companies in Saudi Arabia.
The representatives also urged the government to address negative and misleading social media content concerning chicken and eggs, which they said is damaging the industry.
Secretary Commerce Jawad Pal told the committee that Pakistan is working on free trade agreements with six Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, which could help expand market access for Pakistani products.
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