Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Set Ambitious Target for Agricultural Exports

In a significant step towards enhancing bilateral trade, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have pledged to elevate food and agricultural exports from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to $3 billion. This agreement was announced following productive discussions between the two countries’ agricultural ministries.

The talks, initiated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, took place during a visit from a Saudi delegation led by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley. From August 26 to 28, the delegation, which included officials from various agricultural sectors, engaged in extensive discussions aimed at identifying key areas for cooperation.

According to a joint statement, priority sectors for growth include rice, red meat, fruits, and water-efficient agricultural technologies. The two nations are committed to achieving this ambitious export target within the next two years. Pakistan’s rice exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to approximately 169,000 tonnes, valued at $163 million, in 2025, with plans for further expansion.

Moreover, the Saudi delegation expressed a keen interest in doubling imports of red meat from Pakistan, where the current supply is around 30,000 tonnes valued at $167 million. Both sides also highlighted the potential for increasing fruit exports, encouraging enhanced collaboration between private sectors for business opportunities.

The Saudi team’s visit included discussions on the ongoing water-efficient irrigation program in Punjab and the potential for Pakistan to join the International Dates Council. The two countries also reviewed investment proposals in livestock and agri-food processing, reinforcing their strategic partnership. The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to translate their discussions into actionable cooperation.

Source: www.dawn.com