Pakistan’s meat export sector is locked in a freight charge dispute after the Ministry of Commerce requested formal intervention from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) regarding extra logistics fees.
Key Industry Developments
- The Surcharge Dispute: Cargo handling firm Gerry’s Dnata reportedly introduced a unilateral fee of Rs50 per kg (~$180 per tonne) on outbound meat shipments, warning exporters that consignments would be withheld without payment.
- Government Intervention: In a letter dated March 17, the Ministry of Commerce directed the PCAA Director General in Karachi to investigate these “unauthorised additional charges” following formal complaints.
- APMEPA Concerns: The All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association (APMEPA) highlighted that sudden fee hikes directly erode global competitiveness and threaten foreign exchange earnings.
- Regulatory Contradiction: Although the Prime Minister’s Committee on Export of Surplus Food Items to GCC Countries was informed on March 15 that the fees were revoked, exporters report that the extra charges are still actively being levied.
- Supply Chain Risks: Exporters warn that unresolved cost uncertainties pose severe risks to perishable food items, which depend heavily on strict, time-sensitive cold-chain logistics and air cargo schedules.
