Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Agree to Boost Food Security, Raise Agri-Food Exports to $3 Billion

   Riyadh, August 30, 2026, SPA -- Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen cooperation on food security and work toward raising Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion, according to a joint statement issued following a high-level Saudi delegation’s visit to Islamabad.
   The agreement reflects the two countries’ deep, historic and brotherly ties and the growing complementarity between Saudi Arabia’s food security priorities under Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s agricultural and food export capabilities.
   A Saudi delegation led by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley visited Islamabad from August 26 to 28. 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 also taking part.
   The two sides identified rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder and water-efficient agricultural technologies as priority areas for expanding trade. Pakistan supplied about 169,000 tons of rice to the Saudi market in 2025, valued at approximately $163 million, according to the statement. The Saudi side expressed interest in expanding bilateral rice trade in the coming years.
   Pakistan also supplies about 30,000 tons of red meat annually to Saudi Arabia, valued at around $167 million. Saudi Arabia expressed interest in doubling those supplies over time.
   The two countries also identified opportunities to expand Pakistan’s share of the Saudi market for fruits and fruit concentrates. They agreed to facilitate private-sector engagement, including business matchmaking and greater mutual recognition of quality certifications.
   On Green fodder, the Saudi side also highlighted it as another promising area for expanding trade and developing long-term supply partnerships. The two sides also welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of a Water-Efficient Irrigation programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in a proposed second phase aimed at supporting smallholder farmers. Saudi Arabia encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, a proposal welcomed by the Pakistani side.
   The talks also covered investment opportunities proposed by Pakistani private-sector companies in livestock, agri-food processing and rice value chains. The two sides agreed to coordinate and work together to explore those opportunities.
   During the visit, the Saudi delegation received a briefing on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Food Strategic Plan and held meetings with Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council, the Fauji Foundation and the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agri-Business Forum. The delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Center.
   The two sides reaffirmed their broader strategic partnership and welcomed an invitation to the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 19 to 22. They agreed to continue coordination to follow up on the understandings reached.
   -- SPA