Commerce ministry seeks aviation authority's intervention over extra charges on meat exports

LAHORE: The Ministry of Commerce has formally sought the intervention of aviation authorities following complaints from meat exporters about additional logistics charges being imposed on their shipments, in a development that could have significant implications for Pakistan's meat export industry.

In a letter dated March 17, the ministry requested the Director General of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) in Karachi to investigate the issue of "unauthorised additional charges" reportedly being levied by cargo handling company Gerry's Dnata on meat export consignments.

Exporters raise alarm over rising costs

The ministry's communication came in response to a complaint filed by the All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association (APMEPA), which raised concerns that the newly imposed charges were driving up export costs and undermining the industry's competitiveness in international markets.

According to the exporters, Gerry's Dnata has recently introduced an additional charge of Rs50 per kilogramme on meat exports. The exporters further cautioned that shipments could face disruption as a result, with warnings that consignments would not be processed without payment of the extra fee.

Impact on Pakistan's meat export sector

The dispute has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Pakistan's meat export industry, where rising operational and logistics costs have long been a concern for exporters seeking to remain competitive in global markets. The imposition of what the industry body has termed unauthorised charges adds another layer of difficulty for exporters already navigating a complex regulatory and logistical environment.

The APMEPA's complaint highlights the tension between cargo handling operators and exporters, with the association arguing that such charges, imposed without proper authorisation, place an unfair burden on the sector. The association approached the Commerce Ministry to intervene, prompting the ministry to escalate the matter to the civil aviation regulator.

The ministry's decision to formally write to the PCAA signals the seriousness with which the government is treating the complaint. By asking the aviation authority to look into the matter, the Commerce Ministry has effectively called on the regulator to determine whether the charges imposed by Gerry's Dnata are justified and authorised under existing rules and agreements.

The outcome of the PCAA's inquiry could have far-reaching consequences for how cargo handling fees are structured at Pakistani airports, particularly for perishable and time-sensitive export commodities such as meat. Exporters will be closely watching for the regulator's response as the dispute continues to unfold.