Pakistan has established meat export markets in 14 countries, including Tajikistan, as it seeks to diversify overseas sales and secure access to new markets across the Gulf, Asia and other regions, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reports, citing documents from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce.
AAP notes that according to official documents reviewed by Pakistan’s Wealth Pakistan, existing export destinations include Qatar, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Jordan and China.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce is reportedly working to expand market access and address trade restrictions in coordination with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Animal Quarantine Department and relevant authorities in importing countries.
Under the government’s export-led growth initiative, Pakistan has identified Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon as priority markets for diversifying meat exports beyond established Gulf markets, according to AAP.
To support export growth, TDAP has launched a 24-month agricultural export marketing plan covering September 2026 to August 2028. The initiative includes participation in international exhibitions, trade missions, business-to-business meetings, webinars and seminars, as well as visits by foreign buyers and regulatory delegations.
Pakistan among Tajikistan’s five largest meat suppliers
According to Tajikistan’s Customs Service, the country imported more than 21,400 tons of meat and edible meat offal worth approximately $84 million in January–September 2026. This represents a 60.3% increase in value, or $31.6 million, compared with the same period in 2025.
Belarus was the largest supplier, accounting for $22.4 million, or approximately 26.7% of total meat imports by value. Kazakhstan ranked second, with supplies worth $16.2 million. Ukraine, Pakistan and Uzbekistan also ranked among the five largest suppliers.
Pakistan therefore already has a significant presence in Tajikistan’s meat market and is seeking to expand its trade with the country.
Domestic meat production also rises
Despite growing imports, Tajikistan’s domestic meat production is increasing.
According to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, farms of all categories produced 186,600 tons of cattle and small livestock meat in live weight in January–August 2026, up 13.7% year on year.
Poultry meat production reached 31,400 tons in live weight, an increase of 7.8% compared with the same period in 2025.
Khatlon province accounted for the largest share of cattle and small livestock meat production, at 104,200 tons. Sughd province produced 46,800 tons, districts subordinate to the center and Dushanbe together accounted for 31,200 tons, and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) produced 4,300 tons.
Household farms account for around 91% of cattle and small livestock meat production. Commercial farms dominate poultry production, contributing 76.5% of the total.
Meat prices remain high
Despite rising domestic production, meat remains expensive in Tajikistan. In the first half of 2026, beef and lamb sold for 84–120 somoni per kilogram at markets across the country, while chicken meat cost 30–50 somoni per kilogram.
An Asia-Plus analysis published in September found that the average price of beef had more than tripled over the previous decade, rising from 29.4 somoni to 91.4 somoni per kilogram.
Higher costs for animal feed, fuel, livestock maintenance and transportation are among the factors contributing to rising prices.
Imports from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and other countries add to the supply available on the domestic market. Meat prices in Tajikistan depend on both import volumes and the development of domestic livestock farming.