{
  "id": 4418722,
  "title": "Islamabad, Riyadh agree to boost Pakistani agri and food exports to $3bn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/islamabad-riyadh-agree-to-boost-pakistani-agri-and-food-exports-to-3bn",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-30T12:35:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2026165/islamabad-riyadh-agree-to-boost-pakistani-agri-and-food-exports-to-3bn"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Islamabad and Riyadh have agreed to increase Pakistani agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia to a potential value of $3 billion, according to a joint statement released on Sunday. The agreement was reached after talks between the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and Pakistan's Food Security Ministry, led by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley. The delegation visited Islamabad from August 26 to August 28 and discussed potential areas of cooperation.\n\nThe two countries shared a commitment to achieving the $3 billion target within two years by focusing on priority sectors like rice, red meat, fruits, green fodder, and water-efficient agricultural technologies. In 2025, Pakistan supplied around 169,000 tonnes of rice worth approximately $163 million to the Saudi market. Saudi Arabia expressed interest in doubling its rice imports from Pakistan and expanding its red meat imports, which currently stand at around 30,000 tonnes annually.\n\nBoth sides encouraged measures to facilitate business-to-business linkages and mutual recognition of quality certifications. The Saudi delegation also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council. Both countries reaffirmed their broader strategic partnership and welcomed an invitation for Pakistan to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled for October 19 to 22, 2023.",
  "summary": "Islamabad and Riyadh have agreed to boost Pakistani agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia up to $3 billion, the countries said in a joint statement on Sunday. The statement, shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), said the agreement was reached after “successful” talks between Saudi Arabia’s agriculture ministry and Pakistan’s food security ministry, at the initiative of PM Shehbaz…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia aim to boost agricultural exports to $3 billion within two years.",
    "Focus on rice, red meat, fruits, green fodder, and water-efficient technologies."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Islamabad, Riyadh agree to boost Pakistani agri and food exports to $3bn",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/islamabad-riyadh-agree-to-boost-pakistani-agri-and-food-exports-to-3bn-4423888",
        "published": "2026-08-30T12:46:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}