Pakistan's Dairy Market Overview

Pakistan ranks as the third-largest milk-producing country globally, playing a crucial role in the economy and contributing significantly to the global milk supply.

Milk Production and Processing

With a dairy cattle population of approximately 49.6 million head, Pakistan produces over 42 million metric tons of milk annually. Only about 5% of this production, estimated to be 2.1 million metric tons, is formally processed, catering primarily to urban demand through organized distribution channels.

Cheese, Milk Powder, and Whey Production

Cheese production is relatively low, at about 10,000 metric tons per year. In contrast, milk powder and whey are produced in larger quantities, with approximately 160,000 metric tons of milk powder and 20,000 metric tons of whey annually, due to their greater demand and shelf life.

Key Dairy Plants and Farms

Key dairy processing enterprises include Engro Foods, Nestlé Pakistan, and Haleeb Foods, which play pivotal roles in nationwide dairy product distribution. Prominent dairy farms include JK Dairy Farms and Nishat Dairy (Pvt) Ltd.

Exports and Imports

Pakistan exports about 40,000 metric tons of dairy products yearly, mainly to neighboring countries and the Middle East. The country imports around 50,000 metric tons of value-added dairy products like cheese and flavored milk annually.

Significant Dairy Market Events

Efforts to cooperate with Italy are underway to leverage advanced dairy processing technologies and expertise to enhance product quality and production efficiency. Initiatives include joint ventures and knowledge exchange programs, with support from the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, aimed at bolstering the dairy industry.

In 2024, Belarusian dairy exports to Pakistan saw a threefold increase, marking significant growth in agricultural trade between the two nations.

Sources: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Local news reports

Modified: 2025/03/10

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