Punjab keeps livestock exports on the hoof, up 43%

Punjab has increased animal exports by 43% and is preparing 400,000 animals each year for overseas markets, Mettis Global reported on October 20, 2026. The provincial government expects the effort to bring Rs11bn in income to rural livestock farmers, supported by improved facilities and measures intended to encourage investment.

Additional Director Livestock for Sargodha Region Dr Naila Maqsood attributed progress to the Punjab Livestock Card Scheme, which provides farmers Rs27,000 per animal for feed and fodder; 129,581 animals raised under it have been exported. Punjab has notified eight Foot-and-Mouth Disease compartments and plans seven more this year, while also proposing five meat-processing plants, five modern slaughterhouses and its first vaccine-production unit through a public-private partnership. The province has announced Rs19bn in financing subsidies, with private meat-sector investment of Rs65bn expected, and Livestock Connect now links 1,725 fattening farms with exporters, slaughterhouses and traders.