Pakistan, Iran agree on expanded agricultural trade

August 19, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and Iran have agreed to deepen agricultural trade ties, with Tehran set to source a major portion of its rice and meat imports from Pakistan under accords reached at a high-level ministerial meeting in Tehran.

Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain who led Pakistan’s delegation, secured Iran’s agreement to rely primarily on Pakistani rice for both government and private sector imports.

He also obtained assurances to resolve hurdles in mango exports, including delays in permits and foreign exchange allocations, paving the way for higher shipments.

Iran further agreed to import around 60% of its meat from Pakistan and committed to purchasing large volumes of maize, while pledging to remove technical and procedural barriers swiftly.

Both countries decided to expand cooperation between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and Iranian research institutions in areas such as crop research, livestock breeding, water management and farm innovation.

The two sides also agreed on facilitation measures including faster customs clearance, warehouse and cold chain systems, and improved border infrastructure.

They reaffirmed plans to move toward a Free Trade Agreement to provide a long-term framework for agricultural trade.

A Joint Committee on Agricultural Cooperation was formed to review progress every six months. Both sides signed a Joint Communiqué at the end of the talks.

Hussain described the outcome as a turning point in bilateral trade, reaffirming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of stronger ties with neighbors. He also extended an invitation to his Iranian counterpart, Gholamreza Nourozi, to visit Pakistan.

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