Pakistan eyes $25 million annual buffalo genetics exports to China

Pakistan has signed a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with China's Royal Group to export buffalo genetic material, opening a new market expected to generate up to $25 million annually for the country's livestock sector.

The agreement was finalised by the Ministry of National Food Security & Research following discussions led by Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi.

Under the agreement, Royal Group has established an embryo, semen and ova production facility in Pakistan for the collection, processing and export of buffalo genetic material, including embryos, semen and sexed semen, to China.

According to official estimates, China is expected to immediately import buffalo embryos worth about $5 million. Annual exports of embryos, semen and sexed semen are projected to reach around $25 million.

Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan's buffalo breeds, particularly the Nili-Ravi breed, are internationally recognised for their milk production and genetic characteristics. He said the agreement would create new opportunities for livestock farmers, breeders and researchers while helping expand livestock exports.

The ministry said the agreement includes provisions to protect Pakistan's genetic resources and intellectual property rights. Officials stated that the framework regulates access and transfer of genetic material and is aligned with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, the Convention on Biological Diversity and Pakistan's relevant laws governing genetic resources.

The minister said the agreement was designed to ensure that any future commercial benefits arising from the use of Pakistan's buffalo genetics are shared fairly and that the country's genetic resources remain protected.