Pakistan’s fodder export industry is expanding aggressively, targeting new markets in China and Saudi Arabia to boost annual exports to one billion dollars within five years. Last year, Pakistan exported over 930,000 tons of animal feed worth $112.2 million, although shipments still rely heavily on the United Arab Emirates. Exporters see China as a decisive market that could diversify trade and strengthen the industry.
At the core of this expansion is Rhodes grass, a protein-rich fodder used widely for dairy cattle, camels, horses, and other livestock in arid regions. Water scarcity in Gulf countries limits local production, increasing reliance on imported fodder. Cultivated acreage of Rhodes grass in Pakistan has risen by more than 60 percent in recent years, with large-scale farms in Sindh producing tens of tons daily for export.
Industry leaders are urging the government to facilitate agreements that allow easier registration and entry of fodder products into China. Access to this market could multiply Pakistan’s fodder exports, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and strengthen rural incomes. Officials believe that integrating new trade corridors with China will transform fodder into a major non-traditional export sector for Pakistan.
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