Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Set $3bn Target for Agricultural, Food Exports
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.
This understanding was reached during high-level talks held in Islamabad following the visit of a Saudi delegation led by Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman A. Al-Fadley, from August 26 to 28.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met the Saudi delegation and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
A joint statement issued after the visit emphasized the commitment of both sides to further strengthen the agricultural and food security partnership.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and included senior officials as well as representatives of the private sector from the rice, red meat, processed food, fruit concentrate, and green fodder sectors.
During the visit, 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. They also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).
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.
Key findings:
- 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.
- Pakistan currently supplies around 30,000 tonnes of red meat annually to Saudi Arabia, worth $167 million.
- The Saudi side expressed interest in doubling imports of Pakistani red meat.
- There is potential to increase Pakistan’s exports of fruits and fruit concentrates to Saudi Arabia.
- Both sides 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.
- They welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation program 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.
