DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on the import of fresh meat from Pakistan through the sea route over unhygienic issues.
The action was taken after the UAE officials found fungus on meat when a consignment was examined upon arriving in the Gulf country. According to the order issued by the UAE authorities, the import ban includes chilled meat and will come into place from October 10.
The ban is a setback for the national exchequer as Pakistan exports fresh meat to the UAE via sea route. Pakistan exports most of its fresh meat to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
An exporter told the media that the ban on export via sea route would damage their business, adding that the meat can be exported by air but it incurred heavy transportation costs.
Pakistani exporters say that the monthly export of Pakistani meat to the UAE by sea is $12 million. According to the exporters, the cost of exporting by ship is high and there are always quality challenges in fresh meat or food worldwide. The exporters have requested the government to take up this matter with the UAE authorities.
Pakistan’s exports of meat and meat preparations stood at $424 million during FY23 and exporters believe the current ban will be a massive setback if it stays.
