Pakistan-China vaccine initiative offers fresh push for livestock exports

Pakistan’s recently announced cooperation with China in the animal vaccine sector would be expected to strengthen disease control efforts and create new opportunities for expanding the country’s livestock exports, offering fresh momentum for one of the country’s key agricultural sectors

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Pakistan’s recently announced cooperation with China in the animal vaccine sector would be expected to strengthen disease control efforts and create new opportunities for expanding the country’s livestock exports, offering fresh momentum for one of the country’s key agricultural sectors.

The Sindh Livestock and Fisheries Department has signed a joint venture agreement with China’s Luoyang Modern Biology Group for the supply of animal vaccines, including vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

The agreement also includes technology transfer and the development of animal traceability systems, which experts believe could support modernization of the livestock sector.

Speaking with Wealth Pakistan, Dr Umair Nawaz, Manager Dairy and Livestock at Habib Bank Limited Zarai Services Pakistan, said effective vaccination against FMD remained important for improving Pakistan’s livestock export prospects.

He said better disease management and wider vaccination coverage could further strengthen livestock health standards at the smallholder and village level where unvaccinated animals often entered the supply chain, creating challenges for disease control and export certification requirements.

“Consistent vaccination along with proper cold chain management can help Pakistan move toward FMD-free status, which is essential for access to premium international markets,” he said.

Dr Nawaz said improvements in public-sector vaccine availability, cold chain systems and awareness among small farmers could help strengthen disease prevention efforts and support the sector’s long-term growth.

He emphasized upon the need for stronger public-private coordination to improve vaccine delivery and monitoring mechanisms. He also highlighted the importance of deploying trained veterinarians at village and market levels to improve affordable vaccination access for small farmers.

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Ahmed Faraz, a livestock expert and farm manager, termed the Pakistan-China cooperation a positive development for the livestock industry.

He said China possesses advanced capabilities in biotechnology and scientific research, adding that improved disease management through effective vaccination could support Pakistan’s export performance and strengthen the competitiveness of its livestock products in international markets.

“The global market demands disease-free and antibiotic-residue-free meat,” he said, adding that locally produced vaccines based on indigenous disease strains could prove highly beneficial for Pakistan.

Faraz said Pakistan currently relied largely on imported vaccines that might not fully match local disease patterns. He noted that local production based on indigenous strains could improve vaccine effectiveness and produce better disease management outcomes.

He also stressed upon the importance of livestock traceability systems for export certification, saying importing countries require complete records regarding animal origin, disease history and treatment details.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, the livestock sector contributed around 14.97 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and 63.6 percent to agricultural value addition, while supporting more than eight million rural households. The sector also contributed nearly 2.9 percent to Pakistan’s exports through meat, live animals and other animal-based products.

Pakistan’s meat exports reached US$ 511 million during FY2023-24, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), indicating the sector’s growing potential. Industry stakeholders believe improved vaccination systems, technology transfer and stronger disease control measures could further enhance Pakistan’s export prospects in international markets.