- WEB DESK
- August 30, 2026
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia set $3bn target for agricultural, food exports to kingdom
-
- WEB DESK
- August 30, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work towards increasing Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the kingdom to $3 billion over the next two years, as Islamabad seeks to deepen economic ties with Riyadh under the two countries’ broader strategic partnership.
The statement, issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Sunday, said the understanding was reached following “successful” talks between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative.
The Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, visited Islamabad from August 26 to 28 at the invitation of the Pakistani government.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also met the delegation and discussed potential areas of cooperation, it said.
Pakistan’s delegation was led by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and included senior officials from the ministries of commerce and food security, the prime minister’s coordinator for agriculture and food security, and representatives of Pakistan’s rice, red meat, processed food and fruit concentrate and green fodder sectors.
During the visit, the two sides were briefed on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan and held meetings with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum.
The Saudi delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).
Rice, meat, fruits among priority sectors
The two countries identified rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies as priority areas for expanding trade and investment, particularly through greater engagement with Saudi Arabia’s private sector.
The joint statement said Pakistan supplied around 169,000 tonnes of rice worth approximately $163 million to Saudi Arabia in 2025.
The Saudi side expressed interest in further increasing bilateral rice trade in the coming years, providing an opportunity for Pakistani exporters to expand their presence in the kingdom’s food market.
The two sides also reviewed Pakistan’s existing exports of red meat to Saudi Arabia, which stand at around 30,000 tonnes annually valuing approximately $167 million.
Saudi Arabia expressed interest in gradually doubling imports of red meat from Pakistan, according to the statement.
Fruit and fruit concentrates were also identified as areas with significant potential for increasing Pakistan’s share of the Saudi market.
The two sides agreed to encourage stronger business-to-business links and matchmaking between private-sector companies, while exploring steps towards mutual recognition of quality certifications to facilitate trade.
Green fodder, water-efficient farming
Green fodder was identified by the Saudi side as a promising area for expanding trade and establishing long-term supply partnerships.
The two countries also welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in a proposed second phase aimed at supporting small farmers.
Saudi Arabia also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by the Pakistani side.
The discussions reflect Saudi Arabia’s interest in securing reliable food supplies while Pakistan seeks to expand agricultural exports and attract investment and technology into its farming and food-processing sectors.
Investment opportunities reviewed
The two sides also reviewed investment proposals presented by Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain.
They agreed to maintain coordination on these opportunities and facilitate further engagement between businesses from the two countries.
The agreement comes as Pakistan seeks to leverage its agricultural potential to increase exports, improve value addition and attract foreign investment into areas including livestock, food processing, irrigation and agricultural technology.
For Saudi Arabia, the cooperation aligns with food-security priorities under Vision 2030, while Pakistan sees the kingdom as an important destination for expanding its agricultural and food exports.
Broader strategic partnership
The two sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship, which dates back to Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
The joint statement highlighted the alignment between Saudi Arabia’s food-security priorities under Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s agricultural and food-export potential.
The two countries also welcomed an invitation for Pakistan to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 19 to 22, 2026.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Saudi delegation’s visit and agreed to maintain coordination to translate the understandings reached into concrete trade, investment and agricultural cooperation.
The push to raise agricultural and food exports to $3 billion marks a potentially significant expansion in Pakistan-Saudi economic ties, particularly if the proposed increases in rice and meat exports are accompanied by new investment in processing, certification, logistics and water-efficient farming technologies.
