Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work towards increasing Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to US$3 billion within the next two years, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in food security and agriculture.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia target US$3 bn in agricultural, food exports
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work towards increasing Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to US$3 billion within the next two years, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in food security and agriculture.
Significant progress in agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was achieved due to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s patronage and personal interest.
At the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, a Saudi delegation led by Eng. Abdulrahman A. Alfadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and comprising senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the General Food Security Authority and related entities, visited Islamabad from 26 to 28 August 2026.
The Pakistan side was led by Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, and included senior government officials and private-sector representatives including Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, Secretary MNFSR Amer Ali Ahmed, PM’s Coordinator on Agriculture & Food Security Ahmad Umair, and private-sector representatives of Pakistan’s rice, red meat processed-food/fruit-concentrate, and green fodder sectors.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also met the Saudi delegation and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation, PM Office Media Wing, Sunday, said in a press release.
According to a joint statement issued after the visit, rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies have been identified as priority areas for expanding trade and investment, particularly through cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s private sector.
Pakistan supplied about 169,000 tonnes of rice worth US$163 million to Saudi Arabia in 2025. The Saudi side expressed interest in further increasing import of rice.
The two sides also reviewed Pakistan’s annual exports of around 30,000 tonnes of red meat valued at approximately US$167 million. The Saudi side expressed interest in gradually doubling its imports of Pakistani red meat.
Both countries agreed to facilitate business-to-business linkages and matchmaking in the fruit and fruit concentrate sectors and encouraged steps towards mutual recognition of quality certifications.
Green fodder was also identified as a promising sector for expanding trade and establishing long-term supply partnerships.
The two sides welcomed the completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in a second phase aimed at small farmers.
The Saudi delegation also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by Islamabad.
The two sides reviewed investment proposals from Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain, agreeing to maintain coordination to advance the projects.
The Saudi delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and held meetings with the authorities of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri Business Forum. They were briefed in details.
The joint communique said that both countries reaffirmed their longstanding strategic and fraternal ties and highlighted the alignment between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 food-security priorities and Pakistan’s agricultural export potential.
Pakistan was also invited 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 visit and agreed to continue coordination to translate the agreements into practical cooperation.
