Pakistan, Malaysia Eye Stronger Trade as Poultry and Animal Feed Export Opportunities Emerge

ISLAMABAD, August 22, 2026: Pakistan and Malaysia have discussed expanding bilateral trade, with President Asif Ali Zardari highlighting poultry and animal feed among Pakistani products for which greater market access in the Malaysian market should be explored.

Key Highlights

Pakistan and Malaysia discussed ways to increase bilateral trade.
President Asif Ali Zardari highlighted poultry and animal feed among products with potential demand in Malaysia.
Rice, potatoes and wheat were also identified among potential Pakistani exports.
The development could create opportunities for Pakistan’s poultry, feed and agribusiness sectors.
Actual exports will depend on market access, regulatory compliance, certification and commercial partnerships.

Poultry and Animal Feed in Focus

The trade discussion took place during President Asif Ali Zardari’s meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi was also present during the meeting.

According to the official account of the meeting, matters relating to increasing bilateral trade were discussed, with the President stressing the need to explore greater market access in Malaysia for Pakistani products that are in demand there.

These products included rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry and animal feed.

Potential Opportunity for Pakistan’s Poultry Industry

The specific reference to poultry and animal feed is significant for Pakistan’s commercial poultry and animal nutrition sectors, which are increasingly looking toward regional and international markets for business expansion.

Malaysia has a well-developed poultry, food processing and feed industry, while its large Halal food economy makes it commercially relevant for Pakistani businesses seeking access to Southeast Asian markets.

For Pakistani poultry producers, processors, feed manufacturers, nutrition companies and allied businesses, stronger Pakistan-Malaysia commercial engagement could potentially support future opportunities in products, ingredients, feed solutions and broader poultry value-chain cooperation.

VNV has also been highlighting growing industry engagement between Pakistan and Malaysia through its coverage of Poultry Asia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, where Pakistani poultry businesses and professionals are being connected with international companies, technologies and regional business opportunities.

Market Access Will Require More Than Political Support

The high-level reference to poultry and animal feed should be viewed as a positive trade signal rather than confirmation that new export access or commercial orders have already been secured.

Turning the opportunity into actual exports would require Pakistani companies and relevant authorities to address Malaysia’s applicable import requirements, including food safety, veterinary and sanitary standards, product registration where required, Halal certification, traceability, quality assurance and reliable commercial supply.

For poultry meat and other animal-origin products in particular, veterinary health requirements, disease status, processing standards and approval of eligible establishments can be important components of international market access.

Pakistan’s poultry industry has already been discussing the importance of internationally recognised Halal practices, food safety, traceability and certification for reaching higher-value markets. VNV’s recent coverage on Halal poultry export opportunities for Pakistan also highlights these requirements.

Pakistan-Malaysia Relations

During the meeting, Pakistan and Malaysia also discussed strengthening institutional cooperation in areas including internal security, immigration, counterterrorism, narcotics control and combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The Malaysian minister noted that 2026 marks the 69th year of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Malaysia, established in 1957.

The discussions reflect broader efforts by both countries to deepen institutional and economic ties while identifying sectors where bilateral commerce can be expanded.

VNV Insight

The mention of poultry and animal feed at the presidential level creates an important opening for Pakistan’s poultry value chain, but the next stage must be industry-led and technically prepared.

Pakistan’s feed manufacturers, poultry processors, exporters, industry associations and government trade institutions now have an opportunity to assess Malaysia’s actual product requirements, import protocols, competitive pricing and potential buyers.

Commercial success will depend on converting diplomatic interest into regulatory market access, B2B engagement and sustainable export contracts.

Why It Matters

Malaysia is particularly relevant to Pakistan because it combines a major Muslim consumer market with a sophisticated Halal food ecosystem and strong links to the wider Southeast Asian economy.

If regulatory and commercial requirements can be met, stronger trade relations could help Pakistan diversify agricultural exports while creating new international opportunities for poultry processors, feed manufacturers, animal nutrition companies and other businesses across the poultry supply chain.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, citing the President Secretariat Media Wing