Dairy industry seeks policy support to expand exports

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the Corporate Dairy Farmers Association met Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and briefed him on progress in Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sector, its investment prospects, and plans for future expansion.

During the meeting, the delegation welcomed what it described as the government’s continued engagement with the formal dairy industry. It told the minister that Pakistan’s corporate dairy segment was undergoing change through the use of modern breeding methods, artificial insemination, scientific herd management and improved milk handling systems.

The association’s representatives said commercial dairy farms were now producing high-quality milk in line with international standards, creating room for the production and export of value-added dairy products, including cheese and other processed items.

They said the formal dairy sector had made an important contribution to reducing reliance on imports, creating jobs, and building veterinary and technical expertise. The delegation also pointed to the use of modern machinery, imported genetics and international best practices drawn from Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe, saying these steps had helped raise productivity and improve quality benchmarks across the industry.

Minister highlights financing needs

Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sectors had substantial untapped potential, but added that long-term financing arrangements and investment-friendly policies were needed to support growth on a larger scale.

The commerce minister said affordable financing and easier access to capital were necessary for businesses seeking to expand operations, adopt modern technology and strengthen export competitiveness. He said improved financing mechanisms could help the dairy sector increase productivity, expand value addition and raise exports.

Khan also said that businesses often faced greater difficulties in implementation and enforcement than in policy formulation. He added that the government was committed to improving coordination, facilitation and implementation mechanisms in order to strengthen formal economic activity and create a more supportive business environment.

The meeting focused on how the formal dairy industry could build on recent technological and management improvements to increase output and move further into export-oriented, value-added production. The delegation’s presentation linked sectoral growth with investment, modernisation and stronger policy support, while the minister underscored the need for practical measures that would help firms scale up and compete more effectively in international markets.

The discussion also reflected the industry’s view that formalisation, technology adoption and access to finance will be central to the next phase of development in Pakistan’s dairy and livestock economy.