Pakistan and Saudi Arabia aim to expand agricultural trade, investment and food-security cooperation with a $3bn export target.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work towards increasing Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion within the next two years, as both countries seek to deepen cooperation in food security, agriculture and investment.
The agreement was reached during a high-level Saudi delegation’s visit to Islamabad from August 26 to 28, 2026, following an invitation from the Government of Pakistan.
The Saudi delegation was led by Eng. Abdulrahman A. Alfadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and included senior officials from the ministry, the General Food Security Authority and other relevant institutions.
The Pakistani side was led by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, with senior government officials and private-sector representatives participating in the discussions.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also met the Saudi delegation and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation.
Rice, meat and fruits identified as priority sectors
According to a joint statement issued following the visit, rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies have been identified as priority areas for expanding bilateral trade and investment.
The two countries agreed to promote greater engagement between Saudi Arabia’s private sector and Pakistani businesses to develop trade and investment opportunities in these areas.
Pakistan exported around 169,000 tonnes of rice worth $163 million to Saudi Arabia in 2025. The Saudi side expressed interest in increasing imports of Pakistani rice.
The two sides also reviewed Pakistan’s annual exports of approximately 30,000 tonnes of red meat worth around $167 million to the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia expressed interest in gradually doubling its imports of Pakistani red meat, potentially creating new opportunities for Pakistan’s livestock, meat-processing and related industries.
B2B cooperation to support fruit exports
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also agreed to facilitate business-to-business linkages and matchmaking in the fruit and fruit-concentrate sectors.
Both sides encouraged efforts towards the mutual recognition of quality certifications, which could help reduce trade barriers and improve market access for Pakistani agricultural products.
Green fodder was also identified as a promising area for expanding bilateral trade and establishing long-term supply arrangements.
Water-efficient agriculture gains attention
The two countries welcomed the completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in developing a second phase focused on supporting small farmers.
The Saudi delegation also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by Islamabad.
Membership could create additional opportunities for cooperation in date production, processing and exports.
Saudi Arabia reviews Pakistani investment proposals
The two sides reviewed investment proposals submitted by Pakistan’s private sector covering livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain.
Both countries agreed to maintain coordination to advance these projects and strengthen private-sector participation in bilateral agricultural trade and investment.
During the visit, the Saudi delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and held meetings with officials of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri Business Forum.
The delegation received briefings on Pakistan’s agricultural potential, investment opportunities and ongoing initiatives.
Pakistan invited to Saudi Agriculture Exhibition
Pakistan has also been invited to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 19 to 22, 2026.
The exhibition is expected to provide Pakistani companies with an opportunity to showcase agricultural products, technologies and investment opportunities to Saudi buyers and investors.
Focus shifts to implementation
The joint statement reaffirmed the longstanding strategic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while highlighting the alignment between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 food-security priorities and Pakistan’s agricultural export potential.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Saudi delegation’s visit and agreed to continue coordination to translate the understandings into practical trade, investment and agricultural cooperation.
The proposed $3 billion agricultural and food export target over the next two years could create fresh opportunities for Pakistan’s agriculture, livestock, food-processing and related industries while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s access to Pakistani food and agricultural products.