Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agree to boost food security, raise exports to $3bn

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen food security priorities between the two countries and raise the value of Pakistani agricultural and food exports to the Saudi market to $3 billion, as part of efforts to support their historic relations and strategic partnership.

The announcement came in a joint statement following an official visit to Pakistan by a high-level Saudi delegation led by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli from August 26 to 28, 2026, accompanied by senior officials from the ministry and the General Food Security Authority. Pakistan’s delegation was headed by Minister of State for Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, with the participation of government and private sector representatives.

The statement said discussions focused on rice, red meat, fruits and concentrates, green fodder, and water-efficient agricultural technologies. It noted that Pakistan supplied Saudi Arabia with about 169,000 tons of rice worth $163 million in 2025, while meat exports reached around 30,000 tons valued at $167 million. Saudi Arabia expressed interest in doubling these figures in the future.

Promising opportunities and mutual facilitation

The statement highlighted an agreement to increase the share of Pakistani fruit exports to the Saudi market, empower the private sector, and facilitate communication between business leaders, as well as expand mutual recognition of quality certificates. The Saudi side also emphasized green fodder as an opportunity to enhance trade and build long-term supply partnerships.

Saudi Arabia invited Pakistan to join the International Date Council, an offer welcomed by the Pakistani side. Both parties also expressed satisfaction with the completion of the first phase of the "water-efficient irrigation program" in Bhakkar, Punjab, and showed interest in the proposed second phase to support small farmers.

Investments and bilateral meetings

During the visit, both sides reviewed investment proposals from Pakistani companies in livestock, manufacturing industries, and rice value chains, agreeing to coordinate efforts to explore these opportunities. The visit also included a presentation on the strategic plan for agriculture and food security between the two countries, meetings with Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council, the Fauji Foundation, the Saudi-Pakistan Agricultural Business Council, and a visit to the National Agricultural Research Center.

In conclusion, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership and following up on the agreed understandings. The Pakistani side also welcomed the invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agricultural Exhibition in Riyadh next October.