Islamabad, August 30, 2026: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to increase Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion over the next two years, identifying rice, red meat, fruits, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies as priority areas for cooperation.
The understanding was reached during a three-day visit to Islamabad by a high-level Saudi delegation led by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley from August 26 to 28.
According to a joint statement issued on Sunday by the two countries, the agreement followed “successful” discussions between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, initiated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The Saudi delegation included senior officials from the Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the General Food Security Authority and other relevant institutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held detailed discussions with the delegation on Friday, reviewing potential areas for expanding agricultural trade, investment and food-security cooperation between the two countries.
“The two countries expressed their shared commitment to increase Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia to $3bn, with efforts to be made to achieve the target over the next two years,” the joint statement said.
The two sides agreed to work closely with the Saudi private sector to develop the identified priority sectors and translate the target into increased commercial activity.
Rice emerged as one of the most promising areas of cooperation, with Pakistan having supplied around 169,000 tonnes of rice worth approximately $163 million to the Saudi market in 2025.
The Saudi side expressed interest in substantially increasing rice imports from Pakistan in the coming years, while both sides agreed to explore measures that could facilitate greater market access and private-sector engagement.
The two countries also reviewed opportunities to expand Pakistan’s red meat exports. Pakistan currently supplies around 30,000 tonnes of red meat to Saudi Arabia annually, valued at approximately $167 million.
According to the joint statement, the Saudi delegation expressed interest in gradually doubling imports of Pakistani red meat, creating significant opportunities for Pakistan’s livestock and meat-processing sectors.
Fruits and fruit concentrates were also identified as areas with considerable potential. The two sides agreed on the need to strengthen business-to-business linkages and matchmaking between private-sector companies, while encouraging mutual recognition of quality certifications to facilitate trade.
Green fodder was identified by the Saudi delegation as another promising sector for expanding bilateral trade and developing long-term supply arrangements.
Water-efficient agricultural technologies also featured prominently in the discussions as both countries seek to improve agricultural productivity while addressing water-related challenges.
The two sides welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in launching a second phase aimed at supporting small farmers.
The Saudi delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) during its stay in Islamabad.
The two sides highlighted the strong alignment between Saudi Arabia’s food-security priorities under Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s agricultural production and export capabilities.
During the visit, the delegations reviewed the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan and held meetings with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum.
They also examined investment proposals submitted by Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain and agreed to maintain close coordination to advance cooperation in these areas.
The Saudi side encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by the Pakistani delegation.
Pakistan, meanwhile, welcomed an invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 19 to 22.
Both countries reaffirmed their deep and historic ties and described agricultural and food cooperation as an important component of their broader strategic partnership.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and included Secretary Aamir Ali Ahmed, Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Agriculture and Food Security Ahmed Umair, and representatives of Pakistan’s rice, red meat, processed food, fruit concentrate and green fodder sectors.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Saudi delegation’s visit and agreed to maintain coordination to convert the understandings reached into practical projects, increased trade and investment.
