It is discouraging to learn that in spite of having huge production capacity, Bangladesh have not been able to exploit the potential of exporting red meat due to the absence of export agreements with foreign countries and lack of international quality certificate.
According to the Ministry of Livestock, the total production of cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep in the fiscal year 2019-20 was 559.26 lakh tonnes while the demand for meat in the country was 74.37 lakh tonnes. Such a huge gap between demand and production reveals that Bangladesh has the huge scope to boom its meat export across the world and grab a large share of global halal meat market.
Cattle production is costly due to higher cost of animal feed in Bangladesh than in most of the meat exporting countries. We cannot sell meat at the price at which neighbouring countries export it as our production costs are higher. As a result most of the Middle Eastern nations import meat from countries like India, Pakistan and Myanmar.
We must take necessary steps to control the prices
of cattle feed alongside raising the number of
cattle stocks for boosting meat export
Reportedly, the export price of per kilogram of red meat in India and Pakistan is around US$ 4.50, equivalent to Tk 390. However, in Bangladesh per kg meat (beef) is sold at Tk 550-600. Therefore, in order to take a hold in the price competition, we must take necessary steps to control the prices of cattle feed alongside raising the number of cattle stocks for increasing the meat export.
The government should take urgent initiatives to fix the barriers Bangladesh is facing in export of red meat. It is time to go for government-to-government (G2G) agreement with foreign countries for exporting frozen livestock meat. In order to make our livestock industry export-worthy and export-friendly, there is a need for assisting the local industry in ensuring better management practices.
We need to establish a body for certifying the entire process of meat production. Also there is a need for establishing some areas as industrial zones where the bio-security and other international practices will be ensured. It will help give the global market a positive message about Bangladesh’s livestock industry and raise meat export.
