Pakistan & Saudi Arabia Aim for $3B Agri-Food Exports

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to significantly increase Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to USD 3 billion over the next two years. This understanding was reached during the visit of Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman A Al-Fadley to Pakistan from August 26 to 28, 2026.

• Target for agri-food exports: USD 3 billion
• Timeline for target achievement: next two years
• 2025 rice exports to Saudi Arabia: 169,000 tonnes (valued at USD 163 million)
• 2025 red meat exports to Saudi Arabia: 30,000 tonnes (worth USD 167 million)

Discussions during the Saudi delegation’s visit involved Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The focus remained on identifying potential cooperation avenues in agriculture and food security.

Priority Export Commodities Identified

• Rice
• Red meat
• Fruits and fruit concentrates
• Green fodder
• Water-efficient agricultural technologies

The joint communiqué underscored a mutual commitment to achieve the USD 3 billion export goal. Saudi Arabia expressed interest in further increasing its imports of specific commodities.

Strengthening Bilateral Agricultural Ties

• Foster greater business-to-business linkages.
• Facilitate matchmaking between private sectors.
• Promote mutual recognition of quality certifications for fruits and fruit concentrates.
• Establish long-term supply partnerships for green fodder.
• Welcome successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation program in Bhakkar, Punjab.
• Express interest in a proposed second phase of the irrigation program for small farmers.
• Encourage Pakistan to join the International Dates Council.
• Review investment proposals from Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing, and the rice value chain.
• Brief Saudi delegation on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan.
• Pakistan accepted an invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition in Riyadh.

These initiatives reflect a concerted effort by both nations to deepen economic collaboration and enhance food security through strategic agricultural partnerships. The two-year target sets a clear path for expanding trade volumes.