ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to increase Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Saudi market to $3 billion within the next two years, according to a joint statement issued on Sunday.
The agreement was reached during successful discussions between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, held at the initiative of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A Saudi delegation headed by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley visited Islamabad from August 26 to 28 at the invitation of the Pakistani government. The delegation included senior officials from the Saudi ministry, the General Food Security Authority and other relevant institutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the Saudi delegation on Friday and discussed potential areas of cooperation. The two countries agreed to focus on expanding trade in rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies, in partnership with the Saudi private sector.
During the visit, the delegations reviewed the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan and held meetings with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum. The Saudi delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).
The two sides reaffirmed their longstanding strategic ties and noted the strong alignment between Saudi Arabia’s food security priorities under Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s agricultural and food-export potential.
According to the statement, Pakistan exported around 169,000 tonnes of rice worth approximately $163 million to Saudi Arabia in 2025. Riyadh expressed interest in significantly expanding rice imports from Pakistan in the coming years.
The Saudi side also showed interest in gradually doubling imports of Pakistani red meat. Pakistan currently supplies around 30,000 tonnes annually, valued at approximately $167 million.
The two countries also identified considerable potential to expand Pakistani exports of fruits and fruit concentrates. They agreed to promote business-to-business links, facilitate matchmaking between private-sector companies and work towards mutual recognition of quality certifications.
Green fodder was identified by Saudi Arabia as another promising area for expanding trade and developing long-term supply arrangements.
The countries also welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in launching a second phase aimed at supporting small farmers.
Saudi Arabia encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by Islamabad.
The delegations further reviewed investment proposals from Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain, agreeing to continue coordination to advance cooperation in these areas.
Pakistan also welcomed an invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 19 to 22.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the visit and agreed to maintain coordination to turn the agreements reached into practical projects and expanded trade.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and included senior government officials and representatives of the rice, red meat, processed food, fruit concentrate and green fodder sectors.
The latest visit follows a February tour of Islamabad by Saudi Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, who had expressed interest in investment opportunities in Pakistan’s corporate farming and rice sector.
