LAHORE: Cooperation between China and Pakistan in the dairy industry and China’s enormous demand for high-quality dairy products will provide a path for development of Pakistan’s dairy industry.
Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Wang Zihai expressed these views at a think-tank session held at the PCJCCI Secretariat on Tuesday.
“We have learnt Pakistan is the most important exporter and producer of dairy products in South Asia. Pakistan’s dairy industry could progress, if we adopt the techniques and technology used by China,”
he maintained.
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The PCJCCI president underscored that China was willing to explore more opportunities in Pakistan’s dairy industry. From 2011 to 2022, China’s dairy imports rose at a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%, and the demand was still expanding.
Milk powder, liquid milk, high value-added dairy products such as whey, cheese, butter and cream are in high demand in the Chinese market.
Speaking on the occasion, PCJCCI Senior Vice President Ehsan Choudhry said that currently China’s dairy imports mainly came from New Zealand (40.44%), the Netherlands (17.15%) and Australia (7.38%).
“Pakistani government supports this industry to boost export and domestic production, especially to control the adulteration of loose milk,” he said.
He pointed out that the local farmers were facing many problems, such as the lack of education and facilities for storage, transportation and cold storage.
The government should come forward to train and educate them with modern technology. That way, Chinese consumer demand for high-quality dairy products would be fulfilled, he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economic development, industrial upgrading and industrial chain extension can be expected in
the process.
PCJCCI Vice President Sarfaraz Butt said that animal husbandry was one of the pillar industries in Pakistan, specifically in Baluchistan, where Gwadar Port under CPEC was located. “There are unique advantages of breeding beef cattle and dairy cows.”
