Copyright pakobserver
Pakistan has started exporting table eggs to the United States, crossing $2.37 million in shipments. This marks a major diversification of Pakistan’s export base beyond textiles and commodities, reflecting its growing capacity to meet global food-safety standards. Pakistan’s egg and liquid-egg exports reached $18.25 million in FY 2024–25, up nearly 30 per cent from the previous year. Major destinations now include the United States, UAE, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Somalia. The breakthrough stems from the pioneering role of Roomi Poultry Ltd, the flagship of the Iqbal Group of Companies. In 2013, it established Pakistan’s first internationally certified, food-safety-compliant egg facility, opening access to Hong Kong and Far Eastern markets. By 2018, it had entered the Middle East, and now, in 2025, the United States, setting a precedent for the entire industry. “This is a game changer for Pakistan’s agri exports,” said Mohsin Khawaja, CEO of Iqbal Group. “Our decade-long focus on biosecurity and traceable logistics is paying off globally.” Julien Sleutjes, Director International Business, added that success in a high-standard market like the United States validates Pakistan’s competitiveness and opens doors for long-term international partnerships. In 2021, Roomi Poultry became the first Pakistani firm to win the World Egg Organisation’s Golden Egg Award, and it has also attracted foreign direct investment from the Netherlands, a rarity in Pakistan’s poultry sector. The Iqbal Group’s integrated operations span feed manufacturing, poultry production, and commodity exports. Its next phase includes value-added egg and chicken products and potential listings to expand its global footprint. Industry experts see this as the start of Pakistan’s entry into the global protein supply chain, paving the way for billions in future agri exports.
