Pakistan, Saudi Arabia set $3b food export target

Rice and red meat lead priority areas for trade expansion

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have set a target to increase Pakistan's agricultural and food exports to the kingdom to $3 billion within the next two years, identifying rice, red meat, fruits and concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies as priority areas for cooperation.

The understanding was reached during high-level talks in Islamabad following a visit by a Saudi delegation led by Minister of Agriculture Abdulrahman A Al-Fadley from August 26 to 28. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the delegation and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security.

A joint statement issued after the visit said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their agricultural and food security partnership.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain and included senior officials and private-sector representatives from the rice, red meat, processed food, fruit concentrate and green fodder sectors.

The Saudi delegation was briefed on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan and held meetings with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum. It also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre.

The two sides noted the strong alignment between Saudi Arabia's food security priorities under Vision 2030 and Pakistan's agricultural and food export potential. Rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies were identified as priority areas for expanding trade and investment, particularly through stronger private-sector cooperation.

Pakistan supplied around 169,000 tonnes of rice to Saudi Arabia in 2025, valued at approximately $163 million.

The Saudi side expressed interest in further expanding bilateral rice trade, according to the joint statement.

In the red meat sector, Pakistan currently supplies around 30,000 tonnes annually to Saudi Arabia, worth approximately $167 million. The Saudi side expressed interest in gradually doubling imports of Pakistani red meat.

Both sides also identified considerable potential for increasing Pakistan's exports of fruits and fruit concentrates to the Saudi market. They agreed to encourage stronger private-sector linkages, business matchmaking and mutual recognition of quality certifications.

Saudi Arabia identified green fodder as a promising sector for expanding trade and establishing long-term supply partnerships. The two sides 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 for small farmers.

The Saudi delegation encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by the Pakistani side. The two sides also reviewed investment proposals from Pakistan's private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain and agreed to continue coordination on potential investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, a visiting Pakistani food delegation received a strong response from Saudi counterparts in Riyadh, who expressed keen interest in importing a wide range of Pakistani food products to meet the growing demands of the Saudi market, according to a spokesperson on Sunday.

The Pakistani delegation held meetings with leading Saudi importers, distributors, retailers and business groups, briefing them on Pakistan's food-processing capabilities and export potential. Saudi businesses showed particular interest in Pakistani rice, fruits, vegetables, processed foods, snacks, confectionery, spices and other value-added products.

Both sides agreed to establish sustainable business linkages, boost bilateral trade and facilitate direct contacts between Pakistani exporters and Saudi buyers. The two countries also reaffirmed their broader strategic partnership and welcomed an invitation for Pakistan to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition in Riyadh from October 19 to 22, 2026.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)