Pakistan, Saudi Arabia aim to boost agricultural and food exports to $3 billion within two years

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to considerably enhance agricultural trade and investment with an objective to increase Pakistani agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion in the next two years.

The agreement is a huge step forward in improving food-security cooperation between the two countries with rice, red meat, fruits, concentrates and green fodder named as key sectors.

The two sides also agreed, in a joint statement on agricultural cooperation, to investigate prospects for investment and to develop modern farming technology centred on efficient use of water, irrigation and support to small farmers.

It comes after a visit to Islamabad by a Saudi group led by the Kingdom’s minister for environment, water and agriculture during August 26-28.

The group called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed ways to enhance agricultural cooperation as part of the broader strategic alliance between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during the visit.

Pakistan’s grains sought by Saudi Arabia

Rice is arguably one of the biggest winners from the expanding trading ties.

Saudi Arabia also expressed interest in boosting its rice imports from Pakistan. The joint statement said Pakistan sold roughly 169,000 tonnes of rice worth around $163 million to the Saudi market in 2025.

An increase in access to the Saudi market would afford Pakistani rice exporters a significant opportunity to boost their shipments and broaden their customer base abroad.

Red meat exports might be doubled

Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in increasing progressively the import of Pakistani red meat.

Pakistan presently exports over 30,000 tonnes of red meat per year to Saudi Arabia worth about $167 million.

Livestock and meat processing have thus become prime sectors for possible investment. Saudi Arabia is looking for stable food supply networks and Pakistan for better value export markets.

There is also substantial potential for developing commerce in fresh fruits and fruit concentrates and in raising the percentage of Pakistani produce in the Saudi market.

Investing in agricultural and food processing

Besides commodities exports, Islamabad and Riyadh examined possibilities for investment in livestock, agri-food processing and rice value chain.

Both sides agreed to improve business-to-business linkages between private sector enterprises and to take steps toward mutual recognition of quality certification for agricultural products.

Such initiatives could allow exporters to overcome technical and regulatory impediments and pave the way for entry of Pakistani items into the Saudi market.

The Saudi side highlighted green fodder as another possible field for long-term supply partnership.

Cooperation is also likely to include agricultural technology and water conservation.

Saudi Arabia showed interest in a second phase that would focus on small farmers, while the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation program in Bhakkar was termed successful.

Wider farm partnership

The two countries agreed to be in close contact to seek new investment projects and strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Saudi Arabia also pushed Pakistan to join the worldwide Dates Council, which might open up another area for collaboration in date production, processing and worldwide marketing.

Pakistani officials, meanwhile, welcomed an invitation to take part in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Expo, planned to be held in Riyadh from October 19 to 22, 2026.

Both sides reiterated the importance of their long-standing bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the agriculture talks.