Pakistan aims to raise exports to Saudi Arabia to $3bn

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to increase exports of Pakistani agricultural and food products to the Saudi market by $3 billion in the next two years. The two countries have identified rice, red meat, fruits, fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-saving agricultural technology as key areas.

This development came after a delegation led by Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdul Rahman Al-Fazli visited Pakistan from August 26 to 28. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met the Saudi delegation and discussed enhancing cooperation in agriculture and food security. The two sides also agreed to increase direct business links between the private sector.

Pakistan exported about 169,000 tonnes of rice to Saudi Arabia in 2025, worth $163 million. The Saudi side has expressed interest in further increasing imports of Pakistani rice. The two countries also reviewed trade in red meat, while Saudi Arabia has expressed its desire to gradually double imports of Pakistani meat. Pakistan currently supplies Saudi Arabia with about 30,000 tonnes of red meat annually.

The possibilities for increasing exports of fruits and their concentrates were also explored. The two sides stressed on mutual recognition of quality certification and facilitating business linkages. The Saudi side also identified green fodder as an important sector for long-term supply. In addition, the completion of the first phase of the water-saving irrigation program in Bhakkar was welcomed and interest was shown in the second phase for smallholder farmers.

The two countries also reviewed investment proposals from the Pakistani private sector in the livestock, agri-food processing and rice value chains. Saudi Arabia encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, while Pakistan welcomed Pakistan’s invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agricultural Exhibition to be held in Riyadh from 19 to 22 October 2026. The two sides decided to continue contacts to translate these understandings into practical projects.