Pakistan’s soaring poultry production pushes corn demand to record levels

PAKISTAN – Pakistan’s corn exports have fallen sharply in early 2025 as rising domestic poultry production and demand continue to absorb a large share of available grain.

Official trade data shows that only 53,000 tonnes of corn were shipped abroad in the first quarter, marking an 87% drop compared to the same period last year.

The sharp decline has disrupted trade with more than a dozen countries, including key buyers such as China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Romania.

This marks a sharp turnaround from 2024, when Pakistan’s corn exports reached 419,000 tonnes—a 185% increase over 2023—driven primarily by a spike in demand from Vietnam.

However, the trend has shifted in 2025, as local feed manufacturers have ramped up purchases due to recovering poultry production, according to a recent report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Industry analysts attribute the growing corn demand to the lifting of a ban on genetically modified (GMO) soybean imports, which was imposed in October 2022 but revoked in late 2024.

During the ban, poultry producers scaled back operations due to limited access to soybean meal, a critical protein source in feed, reducing their corn usage.

Since the resumption of GMO soybean imports, the poultry sector has been expanding again, with farmers estimating production could rise by 25% this year.

The USDA projects that domestic corn consumption in the 2025/26 season will reach 9.1 million tonnes, slightly outpacing the previous season’s production figure of 9 million tonnes.

To meet the expected rise in demand, Pakistan’s corn output is forecast to grow to 9.6 million tonnes in 2025/26, assuming a modest increase in planted area and yields matching the five-year average.

Feed manufacturing remains the primary use of corn in the country, accounting for around 65% of total consumption, with the grain commonly mixed with soy in poultry diets.

Currently, Pakistan has an estimated 300 feed mills with a combined annual capacity of 12 million tonnes, further straining supply as output rises.

Aside from demand pressure, exporters are also facing regulatory challenges following recent revisions in sanitary requirements that have complicated compliance and delayed overseas shipments.

Industry representatives have criticized government decisions that they say failed to anticipate market disruptions and hindered export potential.