ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have recorded a marked increase in bilateral agri-food trade, with meat exports emerging as a key growth driver amid rising Chinese demand for diversified and halal-certified protein products.
According to data cited in a Gwadar Pro report, Pakistan’s exports of boiled meat to China rose sharply in 2025, with export value increasing by 177 per cent on a year-on-year basis, as reported by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).
Chinese customs figures show that Pakistan exported 2.38 million kilograms of boiled beef under HS code 16025090, with total shipments valued at $14.52 million during the year.
Exporters attributed the surge to improved access to the Chinese market, better compliance by Pakistani meat processors with Chinese sanitary and halal requirements, and growing demand in China’s major urban consumption centres.
Provincial data indicates that imports were concentrated in economically advanced regions. Jiangsu Province emerged as the largest destination, importing close to one million kilograms of Pakistani meat worth $5.08 million. Zhejiang followed with imports of 458,595 kilograms valued at $3.66 million, while Tianjin purchased 510,520 kilograms worth $3.50 million.
Additional consignments were shipped to Guangdong, China’s largest consumer market, along with smaller but expanding volumes to Xinjiang, Shandong, Hainan and Hunan, according to the report.
On average, Pakistani meat exports to China were priced at around $6.1 per kilogram. Industry analysts said this pricing reflects a competitive balance between cost and quality, while also highlighting a shift toward value-added, processed products rather than unprocessed raw meat.
Experts said several factors have supported the expansion. Chinese consumers are increasingly favouring ready-to-cook and processed meat products, while Pakistan has increased the number of slaughterhouses and processing units approved for export under Chinese regulations.
They added that improvements in cold-chain logistics, more efficient customs clearance and the use of bonded trade channels, particularly through Hainan, have helped reduce delivery times and overall costs.
In comparison with other suppliers, Mongolia remained China’s largest source of prepared bovine meat in this category, exporting 4.37 million kilograms valued at $18.53 million, benefiting largely from geographic proximity and established border trade. The United States, meanwhile, exported 18,099 kilograms worth $68,033, reflecting a different export mix.
Industry observers said Pakistan still has significant potential to expand its presence in the Chinese market by moving further up the value chain, increasing investment in cold-chain infrastructure, strengthening branding partnerships with Chinese distributors, and accelerating certification of additional processing facilities.
Abdullah, a Pakistani meat exporter, said demand for Pakistani meat products is growing across both coastal and inland provinces of China. He added that the 2025 export performance points to a more stable and sustained phase of large-scale meat trade, underlining the deepening economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.
