Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Agree to Boost Agri-Food Exports to $3 Billion
Islamabad and Riyadh have agreed to boost Pakistani agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia up to $3 billion, according to a joint statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Sunday. The bilateral push targets key sectors including rice, red meat, and water-efficient agricultural technologies to align with Saudi food security priorities under Vision 2030.
The sovereign trade initiative follows high-level diplomatic engagements in Islamabad.
Bilateral Trade Framework and Priority Sectors
The agreement was finalized following successful talks between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research. A visiting Saudi delegation, led by Minister Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, toured Islamabad from August 26 to August 28, at the initiative of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Institutional investors and private-sector stakeholders reviewed the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan alongside the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Fauji Foundation, and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum.
https://x.com/PakPMO/status/2094024612388417793
According to the joint communiqué, both governments have targeted specific commodity verticals to bridge the export gap over the next twenty-four months. The strategy outlines concrete volume goals designed to scale existing trade channels significantly:
- Rice: Pakistan supplied approximately 169,000 tonnes of rice valued at roughly $163 million to the Saudi market in 2025. Both sides committed to expanding bilateral rice trade volumes significantly in the near term.
- Red Meat: The nations reviewed an annual baseline supply of around 30,000 tonnes worth approximately $167 million, with the Saudi delegation expressing clear intent to gradually double these import figures.
- Fruits and Concentrates: Officials identified substantial upside for Pakistani fruit exports, emphasizing the necessity of mutual quality certification recognition and business-to-business matchmaking.
- Green Fodder: Riyadh designated green fodder as a vital sector for establishing long-term commercial supply partnerships.
- Agricultural Technology: Following the successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation program in Punjab’s Bhakkar district, both countries endorsed a proposed second phase aimed at smallholder farmers.
Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030
The bilateral push is intrinsically linked to Riyadh’s broader geopolitical and economic roadmap. By matching Saudi food security mandates under Vision 2030 with Pakistan’s vast agrarian output, both administrations are attempting to de-risk supply chains against regional volatility. During the delegation’s stay, meetings held at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) emphasized the role of private-sector participation in livestock and agri-food processing.
Furthermore, the Saudi delegation formally encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council—a proposal warmly received by Pakistani officials.