ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): 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.
The 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.
The Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met the Saudi delegation and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security, said a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research here on Sunday.
A joint statement, which was issued after the visit said that the both sides reaffirmed their commitment for further strengthening 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.The delegation 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.
According to the joint statement, 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.
In the red meat sector, Pakistan currently supplies around 30,000 tonnes annually to Saudi Arabia, worth approximately $167 million. The Saudi side expressed interest in gradually doubling imports of Pakistani red meat.
Both sides also identified considerable potential for increasing Pakistan’s exports of fruits and fruit concentrates to the Saudi market.
They 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.
The two sides welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in a proposed second phase for small farmers.
The Saudi delegation also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by the Pakistani side.
The two sides reviewed investment proposals from Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain and agreed to continue coordination on potential investment opportunities.
Both countries reaffirmed their broader strategic partnership and welcomed an invitation for Pakistan to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled for October 19-22, 2026, in Riyadh.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the visit and agreed to maintain coordination to translate the understandings reached into tangible cooperation.
