Pakistan eyes bigger share of Saudi rice market

November 04, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan, Saudi Arabia have agreed to put the newly set up joint technical mechanism to work in removing trade and regulatory hurdles and speeding up cooperation in agriculture, livestock, trade and investment, with Islamabad pushing to raise its share in the Saudi rice market, where it currently supplies only around 10% of imports against roughly 90% from India.

Pakistan also offered to expand exports of Basmati rice, halal meat, livestock products and green fodder, while seeking Saudi investment in modern slaughterhouses and livestock farms, and Riyadh signalled readiness to buy more Pakistani farm produce provided it meets international standards of quality, pricing, quantity and packaging.

The understanding came during a high-level meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy, said a press release issued.

The two sides reaffirmed the strategic and brotherly ties between the countries and discussed follow-up on the recent visit of the Saudi Minister of Agriculture and the formation of a joint technical team.

Nine priority areas were reviewed, including rice, meat and livestock, green fodder and dry camel milk, with stress on private-sector participation and business-to-business partnerships.

Rice discussions centred on quality, competitiveness, supply volumes, packaging and commercial requirements, along with Pakistan’s participation in Saudi agricultural exhibitions and promotion of Pakistani Basmati.

On meat, it was noted that 17 of 31 Pakistani slaughterhouses have cleared Saudi technical assessment.

The minister proposed joint ventures between Saudi investors and Pakistani business groups to build high-capacity slaughterhouses and linked livestock farms with disease-controlled supply chains.

The ambassador assured the Embassy’s support in coordinating with Saudi authorities and resolving pending issues through regular engagement.

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