Pakistan’s salt exports to China surge 40% in Q1 2025

Pakistan’s salt exports to China experienced a notable 40% increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).

From January to March 2025, Pakistan exported over 13.64 million kilograms of salt to China, amounting to $1.83 million in value.

During the same period in 2024, exports totalled $1.30 million. The growth reflects strengthening trade relations between the two nations under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and China's rising demand for high-quality industrial and edible salt.

Ghulam Qadir, Trade and Investment Counsellor at Pakistan's Embassy in Beijing, told international newspaper that the salt was exported under three main categories: edible salt, pure sodium chloride, and other salt variants.

Industry analysts credit the rise to improved logistics, competitive pricing, and stricter quality controls implemented by Pakistani exporters.

China’s increasing consumption of salt, particularly in its chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries, has also played a key role in driving demand.

A senior official from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) described the development as a "positive indicator" of Pakistan’s growing capacity to meet international demand and diversify its export portfolio.

The uptick in salt trade further cements Pakistan’s position as a reliable supplier in the Chinese market, and aligns with broader goals of enhancing bilateral trade under CPEC initiatives.