China's dairy demand creates opportunities for Pakistani exporters
China imported 2.66m tonnes of dairy products in 2025, according to the Dairy Association of China. The value of those imports rose by 13.7% from a year earlier. Milk powder, whey, cheese and cream were among the main categories.
The figures were presented as evidence of expanding demand for imported dairy products in China. The Agro & Food Division of Pakistan's Trade Development Authority, working with Pakistan's Consulate General in Guangzhou, arranged the webinar titled “Unlocking China's Dairy Market—Opportunities for Pakistani Exporters”.
Muhammad Imran, Pakistan's trade and investment counsellor, outlined the size of the Chinese market and changes in consumer demand. He also discussed import and distribution routes, regulatory requirements and ways for Pakistani companies to establish commercial relationships with Chinese importers and distributors.
Pakistan produced 74.69m tonnes of milk in the 2025-26 financial year, compared with 72.34m tonnes a year earlier, according to the country's Economic Survey for 2025-26. Buffaloes accounted for 44.41m tonnes and cows for 28.10m tonnes. Pakistan's processing capacity includes UHT milk, milk powder, cream, butter, ghee and other products with added value.
Shehzad Amin, chief executive of the Pakistan Dairy Association, cited the country's livestock population, milk supply and processing infrastructure. He said Pakistani dairy firms had export capabilities and met international quality and Halal requirements. He also noted that China's General Administration of Customs had approved Pakistani dairy establishments for exports to China.
Trade between the two countries has already included several dairy products. Pakistan exported camel-milk powder to China for the first time in April 2025. Royal JW Foods, a China-Pakistan joint venture involved in buffalo-industry development and dairy processing, sent its first shipment of concentrated buffalo milk to China during 2025. The company plans to introduce yogurt, cheese and butter made from buffalo milk for Chinese buyers. About 20 Pakistani and Chinese companies took part in the webinar to discuss reducing the trade gap and developing longer-term commercial partnerships.
