Pakistan considers dairy market liberalisation to target $2 billion exports by 2035

Profit by Pakistan Today reported that Pakistan is weighing a looser dairy regime, including taking milk off the list of essential goods. The reforms aim to draw investment and lift dairy exports to $2 billion a year by 2035, with an interim goal of $500 million by FY30. Private firms are expected to spearhead investment, processing and export growth.

According to the policy analysis, Pakistan ranks fourth globally in milk output, yet it recorded a dairy trade deficit of $37 million in 2024. Only 5% of milk goes through formal processing, and weak yields, limited processing units and price controls have held back investment. The proposals include cutting tax on value-added dairy goods from 18% to 5%, and capping duties at 5% on dairy equipment, breeding material and feed inputs.

Other measures include a digital disease monitoring and traceability system, disease-free dairy zones in Punjab and Sindh, and export processing zones tied to Karachi and Gwadar seaports. The framework names China, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Indonesia and Malaysia as key regional import markets, while FY27 priorities include ratifying the pending National Breeding Policy and restructuring the Livestock and Dairy Development Board.