By Dr. Lubna Farah
RIYADH/ISLAMABAD : Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in food security and agriculture, with both sides seeking to increase the value of Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to the Saudi market to $3 billion.
The agreement was reached in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of a high-level Saudi delegation’s visit to Pakistan from August 26 to 28, 2026, led by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley and attended by officials from the ministry, the General Food Security Authority and other relevant institutions.
The talks focused on expanding bilateral trade and cooperation in key sectors, including rice, red meat, fruits and fruit concentrates, green fodder, and water-efficient irrigation and agricultural technologies.
Rice and Meat Exports
Pakistan supplied approximately 169,000 tonnes of rice to the Saudi market in 2025, with an estimated value of $163 million, according to the joint statement.
Annual Pakistani meat exports to Saudi Arabia stood at around 30,000 tonnes, valued at approximately $167 million. Saudi Arabia expressed interest in doubling the volume of meat imports from Pakistan in the future.
The two countries also agreed to expand Pakistan’s share of the Saudi market for fruits and fruit concentrates, while supporting greater private-sector participation, facilitating direct engagement between businesses and expanding mutual recognition of quality certificates.
Long-Term Fodder and Agricultural Partnerships
The two sides discussed opportunities to expand trade in green fodder and establish long-term supply partnerships.
Saudi Arabia also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council, an invitation welcomed by Islamabad.
The two countries further welcomed the completion of the first phase of the Water-Efficient Irrigation Programme in Bhakkar, Punjab, and expressed interest in the proposed second phase, aimed at supporting small-scale farmers and promoting more efficient use of water resources.
Investment Opportunities
During the visit, Saudi officials reviewed investment proposals from Pakistani companies covering livestock, agro-processing industries and rice value chains.
Both sides agreed to coordinate efforts to further examine and develop these investment opportunities, reflecting their broader objective of deepening private-sector links and strengthening agricultural supply chains between the two countries.
The Saudi delegation was also briefed on the Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food Security between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
As part of the visit, the delegation held meetings with Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Fauji Foundation, the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Agricultural Business Council, and other relevant institutions. The delegation also visited the National Agricultural Research Centre.
Strategic Partnership
Concluding the statement, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership, with food security and agricultural cooperation identified as important areas for expanding bilateral economic ties.
Pakistan also welcomed an invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agricultural Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh in October 2026.
The two sides agreed to maintain coordination and follow up on the understandings reached during the visit, with a focus on translating the agreements into concrete trade, investment and agricultural cooperation initiatives.
