Pakistan, Iran step up talks to boost agricultural trade

August 21, 2025 (MLN): The government of Pakistan is stepping up efforts to expand agricultural trade with Iran, positioning the country as a key supplier of food commodities to its western neighbor.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain met Akbar Behnamjou, Governor of Iran’s Qom Province, in Qom this week to explore ways of translating longstanding cultural and historical ties into concrete economic cooperation.

Hussain said Pakistan is ready to supply rice, mangoes, halal meat and maize to Iran while sharing expertise in wheat, mango and citrus production. In return, Tehran highlighted its strengths in saffron, pistachios and dry fruits as areas for reciprocal collaboration

Talks also centered on easing customs procedures, harmonizing sanitary and phytosanitary protocols and building trade-supporting infrastructure such as cold storage and warehouses to safeguard exports.

Iran pledged to increase its reliance on Pakistani food imports, with commitments to source a substantial share of rice and mangoes, alongside plans to purchase large volumes of maize and meat.

Officials said Pakistan could soon account for as much as 60% of Iran’s meat imports.

Calling agriculture a “cornerstone” of food security and regional integration, Hussain invited Governor Behnamjou and Iranian agricultural officials for a reciprocal visit to Pakistan, stressing the importance of institutional and people-to-people exchanges to sustain momentum.

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