Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to work towards increasing Pakistan's agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion within the next two years, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in food security and agriculture, according to a joint statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Sunday.
The statement noted that significant progress in agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was achieved due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s patronage and personal interest.
PMO said that at the government's invitation, a Saudi delegation led by Eng Abdulrahman A. Alfadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the General Food Security Authority, and related entities, visited Islamabad from August 26 to 28.
According to the joint statement, the Pakistani side was led by Minister for National Food Security & Research (MNFSR), Rana Tanveer Hussain and included senior government officials and private-sector representatives, including Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, Secretary Ministry of MNFSR Amer Ali Ahmed, PM’s Coordinator on Agriculture & Food Security Ahmad Umair, and private-sector representatives of Pakistan’s rice, red meat processed-food/fruit-concentrate, and green fodder sectors.
The statement also noted that PM Shehbaz met the Saudi delegation and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation.
According to a joint statement issued after the visit, rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies had been identified as priority areas for expanding trade and investment, particularly through cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s private sector.
وزیراعظم کی سرپرستی میں پاکستان اور سعودی عرب کے درمیان زرعی شعبے میں اہم پیش رفت.
وزیراعظم کی ذاتی دلچسپی سے سعودی وزیرِ ماحولیات، پانی و زراعت اور وزارتِ قومی غذائی تحفظ و تحقیق کے درمیان کامیاب مذاکرات ہوئے.
مشترکہ اعلامیہ:
اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان اور مملکتِ سعودی عرب کے… pic.twitter.com/Alv2M6JTT1
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 30, 2026
PMO stated that Pakistan supplied about 169,000 tonnes of rice worth $163 million to Saudi Arabia in 2025, adding that the Saudi side expressed interest in further increasing imports of rice.
The statement noted that the two sides also reviewed Pakistan’s annual exports of around 30,000 tonnes of red meat valued at approximately $167 million, adding that the Saudi side expressed interest in gradually doubling its imports of Pakistani red meat.
Read: PM Shehbaz urges Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to deepen economic, agricultural ties
PMO said that both countries agreed to facilitate business-to-business linkages and matchmaking in the fruit and fruit concentrate sectors and encouraged steps towards mutual recognition of quality certifications.
The press release stated that green fodder was also identified as a promising sector for expanding trade and establishing long-term supply partnerships.
It added that the two sides welcomed the completion of the first phase of a water-efficient irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in a second phase aimed at small farmers.
PMO said that the Saudi delegation also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by Islamabad.
According to the press release, the two sides reviewed investment proposals from Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing and the rice value chain, agreeing to maintain coordination to advance the projects.
PMO said that the Saudi delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and held meetings with the authorities of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri Business Forum and were briefed in detail.
The joint communique said that both countries reaffirmed their longstanding strategic and fraternal ties and highlighted the alignment between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 food-security priorities and Pakistan’s agricultural export potential.
Read More: Saudi Vision 2030 opens new trade avenues
The statement noted that Pakistan was also invited to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 19 to 22, 2026.
PMO said that both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the visit and agreed to continue coordination to translate the agreements into practical cooperation.
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