Pakistan, Saudi Arabia set $3 billion target for agricultural and food exports 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have decided to jointly pursue measures aimed at taking Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion over the coming two years, signalling a fresh push to expand cooperation in food security, farming and related industries.

The renewed momentum in agricultural relations between the two countries has been attributed to the patronage and personal attention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to a press release issued by the PM Office Media Wing on Sunday, a senior Saudi delegation, headed by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman A. Alfadley, arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit from August 26 to 28 at the invitation of the Pakistani government.

The delegation comprised senior officials from the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the General Food Security Authority and other relevant organisations.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain led the Pakistani delegation during the discussions. Senior government officials and representatives of the private sector also participated, including Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul, MNFSR Secretary Amer Ali Ahmed, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Agriculture and Food Security Ahmad Umair, and business representatives associated with rice, red meat, processed food and fruit concentrates, and green fodder.

PM Shehbaz separately received the Saudi delegation and held discussions on possible avenues for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Following the visit, both countries issued a joint statement outlining several sectors they consider particularly important for expanding commercial ties and investment.

These included rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient farming technologies, with greater involvement of Saudi private-sector companies being encouraged.

Pakistan exported approximately 169,000 tonnes of rice to Saudi Arabia in 2025, earning around $163 million.

During the discussions, Saudi officials conveyed their interest in raising the quantity of rice imported from Pakistan.

The talks also covered Pakistan’s annual red meat shipments to the Kingdom, which total nearly 30,000 tonnes and are worth about $167 million. Saudi Arabia indicated that it wanted to gradually increase imports of Pakistani red meat to twice the existing level.

To expand trade in fruits and fruit concentrates, the two sides agreed to promote direct contacts between businesses and arrange matchmaking opportunities for companies. They also encouraged progress towards recognising each other’s quality certification systems.

Green fodder was identified as another area offering significant room for commercial expansion, with both sides seeing potential for establishing dependable, long-term supply arrangements.

The Pakistani and Saudi sides welcomed the completion of the initial phase of a water-saving irrigation project in Bhakkar, Punjab. They also showed interest in extending the initiative through a second phase designed to benefit small-scale farmers.

During the visit, the Saudi side also proposed that Pakistan become a member of the International Dates Council, an offer welcomed by Islamabad.

Investment plans put forward by Pakistani private-sector stakeholders in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice supply chain were also discussed. The two sides agreed to remain in contact and work together to facilitate progress on these proposed projects.

As part of their programme in Islamabad, the Saudi delegation visited the National Agricultural Research Centre and met officials from the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri Business Forum. Detailed briefings were provided to the visiting officials during these engagements.

In their joint communique, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reiterated the strength of their longstanding strategic and fraternal relationship. They also pointed to the compatibility between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives for food security and Pakistan’s capacity to increase agricultural exports.

Pakistan was additionally invited to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, due to be held in Riyadh from October 19 to 22, 2026.

The two sides described the outcome of the delegation’s visit as positive and agreed to maintain close coordination so that the understandings reached during the meetings could be converted into practical projects and expanded cooperation.