DOHA – The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in Doha, successfully concluded a high-level trade delegation of six prominent Pakistani animal fodder companies to Qatar from May 25–27, 2025. This strategic initiative, aimed at boosting Pakistan’s fodder exports, was the culmination of over a year of dedicated market research, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building efforts led by TDAP team.
The delegation engaged in productive B2B meetings with key Qatari stakeholders, including Hassad Food Company, Widam Food, Alanaam Factory, Mazzraty, Green Forages Trading, and Baladna. The delegation toured state-of-the-art Qatari facilities, discussing product specifications, supply chain requirements, and potential collaboration avenues to meet Qatar’s growing demand for high-quality fodder. This visit was a direct outcome of TDAP’s focused awareness sessions held in key fodder-producing clusters, including seminars on “Enhancing Rhodes Grass and Alfalfa Exports: Best Practices and Market Opportunities” in Multan on December 4, 2024, and Rahim Yar Khan on December 5, 2024. These sessions emphasized improving production, certification, and export regulations for Rhodes grass and alfalfa, which have shown significant export potential. A follow-up session is planned for June 2025 to further strengthen stakeholder capacity.
Pakistan’s fodder sector holds immense potential, with alfalfa and Rhodes grass exports gaining traction in global markets. According to Dr Qamar Shakil from the Fodder Research Sub-Station, AARI, Pakistan’s fodder production stands at 55.47 million tons annually, with alfalfa alone contributing 5.32 million tons. The global alfalfa market, valued at $21.63 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $35.2 billion by 2028, with a $9 billion demand for fodder hay in neighboring countries, including Qatar. Pakistan’s proximity to Qatar—only 1,100 kilometers compared to over 12,000 kilometers from the USA—offers a competitive edge with lower shipping costs and high-quality hay at an average export rate of $330 per ton. In 2023-24, Pakistan’s Rhodes grass exports reached $10.8 million, with Qatar as a key market. The country’s strategic location and robust dairy industry—ranked 4th globally by FAO with 67.8m tons of milk production annually—further underscore its potential to meet Qatar’s fodder needs.
With 0.47 million hectares of potential cultivation area in Punjab alone and key growing regions like Bahawalpur, DG Khan, and Sargodha, Pakistan is poised to become a major supplier in the global fodder market.
This trade delegation marks a significant step toward deepening commercial ties between Pakistan and Qatar, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the vital fodder sector.
