ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to boost Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia to $3 billion within the next two years, following high-level talks in Islamabad focused on expanding trade, food security and investment between the two countries in a statement issued on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The agreement was reached during a visit by a Saudi delegation led by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley from Aug. 26 to 28. The talks were held at the initiative of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and brought together officials from both countries to explore new opportunities in agriculture and food trade.
The two sides identified rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-saving agricultural technologies as key areas for expanding exports. They also agreed to work with Saudi Arabia’s private sector to turn the plans into stronger business partnerships.
During the visit, the Saudi delegation received updates on Pakistan-Saudi agricultural and food cooperation plans. Officials also held meetings with the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum.
The delegation visited Pakistan’s National Agricultural Research Centre, where officials discussed opportunities to improve agricultural production and water management.
The talks also highlighted the close connection between Saudi Arabia’s food security goals under Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s growing agricultural and food export sector.
Rice emerged as one of the biggest areas of potential growth. Pakistan exported about 169,000 metric tons of rice to Saudi Arabia in 2025, worth around $163 million. Saudi officials expressed interest in increasing rice imports from Pakistan in the coming years.
Red meat is another major opportunity. Pakistan currently supplies about 30,000 metric tons of red meat to Saudi Arabia each year, valued at approximately $167 million. The Saudi side expressed interest in gradually doubling those imports.
Both countries also see room to increase Pakistan’s share of the Saudi market for fruits and fruit concentrates. They called for stronger business-to-business links, improved private-sector cooperation and mutual recognition of quality certifications.
Green fodder was also highlighted as a promising trade area, with Saudi officials showing interest in developing long-term supply partnerships with Pakistani businesses.
The two sides welcomed the completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation project in Punjab’s Bhakkar district and discussed a possible second phase aimed at supporting small farmers.
