Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The lion’s share of meat – sold in markets across Bangladesh – is processed in an unhygienic environment, due to animals being slaughtered on the roadsides, and meat being traded under open sky.
Such practices put at risk both the environment and consumer health, as the animals are not tested for possible diseases or infections before slaughter. Besides, there are no steps to control the rapid spread of bacteria in the meat.
Under the circumstances, public, private investment in meat processing on a commercial basis is giving hope for a safer, more hygienic meat market. There is also the possibility of increasing revenue by exporting animal by-products such as bones, intestines, blood and horns.
Industry insiders say many people are turning to processed meat as animals are slaughtered on the roadside in unsanitary conditions in the market. The demand for such products is increasing day by day as there are no health risks in this type of meat, and the price is affordable.
The demand for processed meat is increasing by an average of 15 per cent – 20 per cent every year. As a result, public and private investment is also increasing in this industry. In the last 17 years, 13-14 big companies have entered this sector.
Besides, the government is building 21 modern slaughterhouses in populated areas for slaughtering animals, processing meat and ensuring quality control. Insiders are optimistic that the private sector interest will increase when these facilities start production.
Who are the producers?
According to Halal Meat Processing Industries Association of Bangladesh, Bengal Meat was the only company in the meat processing sector in 2006. Due to the increasing awareness of halal and safe meat consumption, many companies have invested in it in the last 17 years.
There are currently 10-14 companies involved in meat processing on a larger scale in the country. Along with Bengal Meat, Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Kazi Farms, Paragon, Aeon, AG Agro, Narish, CP, Quality and Desi Meat are also members of the association.
Apart from this, Provita, Pran, BRAC and other companies are producing processed meat as well. Another company called Dutch-Dairy has set up a meat processing factory in Munshiganj. The officials of the company said their production will start in July-August this year.
Aside from processing and selling raw meat, these companies are also producing processed food from meat and selling it through various outlets. Fast food made from processed meats like bacon, salami, kebab, nuggets, sausage, chop, burger, hotdog, patties, momo, shawarma, grill are very popular now.
Producers of processed meat said alongside the consumers at large, they are also supplying meat to five star hotels. Besides, exports are also being made to various countries including Dubai and Maldives.
Opportunities and challenges
Speaking to The Business Post, Head of Supply Chain and Export at Bengal Meat Al Amin said, “The demand for our processed meat is increasing by 15 per cent – 20 percent every year. People are now very aware of our brand.
“Many people know that processed meat is fresh, halal and safe. In addition, processed meat has less bone and fat than regular meat, so the price may seem higher, but in reality, the price is comparatively lower.”
He added, “When Bengal Meat began production, there were few customers for processed Meat. But now many people including top hotels and restaurants, different airlines, and different forces are buying safe meat.
“There will come a time when people in big cities will only eat processed meat, and ignore unsafe meat from butcher shops.”
Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association President Imran Hossain believes that more awareness should be raised among people for further expansion of this sector.
He pointed out, “Even if we, the farmers, produce disease-free cows, if they are not processed systematically, common people will not get safe meat. Therefore, the fact that commercially processed meat is safe must be spread among people.
“Most people think processed meats are stale and unpalatable. On the contrary, the meat of animals slaughtered instantly on the road side is fresh. If people break this misconception, it is possible to increase the demand for processed meat.”
Besides, industry insiders said the sector has great potential for exports as well. They say the world now has a $2.5 trillion meat market. If more policy support is given and if the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) license is obtained, it is possible to increase meat exports from Bangladesh.
For this reason, the government is working to develop Bhola, Manikganj and Sirajganj as safe meat production zones.
When these zones are developed, there will be a rapid growth in the meat processing industry because then the WOAH license will be available, which will remove major hurdles in exporting meat abroad.
Meat processing in a nutshell
Detailing how meat is processed, Project Manager at Dutch Dairy in Munshiganj Asif Mridha said, “A suitable animal is tested in the lab – through blood and other samples – to check whether they are disease-free.
“In this case, it is seen whether the animal has rickets, lumping DCC, or any other viral diseases. After that we separate the selected animals and clean them well with water through the machine. Later, the animal is slaughtered in a halal manner.
After slaughtering, the animal is left hanging for 15-20 minutes to drain the blood. If there is blood in the meat, the bacteria spreads quickly. The skin and intestines are removed by automatic machinery.
The animal is then chopped into four parts and preserved in the cooling chamber. The meat is then sold to consumers on demand.
21 govt slaughterhouses incoming
Department of Livestock Services Director General Dr Md Reajul Huq said, “There is no alternative to slaughterhouses for safe meat products while protecting the environment. Here, the animals will be inspected and slaughtered.
“In case of roadside slaughtering of animals, by-products such as blood and sinew are thrown away. But in the case of a slaughterhouse, these can be saved and repurposed – for example to make poultry feed.”
Many companies, including Star Kebab, have contacted us showing an interest in building their own slaughterhouses.
Partha Pradip Sarkar, deputy project director of LDPP, said, “Out of the 21 slaughterhouses that are being built under the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, three will be in Rajshahi, Khulna and Chattogram.
“The rest will be in 18 districts. Out of this, the construction work of slaughterhouses in ten districts is going on, but LCs has not been opened as yet to import the required machinery. Five are currently under assessment, two are awaiting tender process, and one will have re-tender.
Officials concerned say the project work is getting delayed due to a number of complications, including the approval of various departments of the government and collection of no-objection letters from the World Bank.
They however are optimistic that the government slaughterhouses will attract private investment in the coming days.
