ISLAMABAD — September 5, 2026: Pakistan is looking to increase the value of its agricultural exports by moving beyond the shipment of raw commodities and focusing more on processed, certified and branded food products.
The issue was highlighted during a government roundtable in Islamabad on September 4, where officials, exporters, farmers, academics and representatives from certification organizations discussed ways to expand Pakistan’s high-value agricultural exports.
According to figures presented at the meeting, Pakistan exported approximately $5.02 billion worth of food products during the last fiscal year, while food imports reached around $9.15 billion. The figures underline the gap between Pakistan’s agricultural production capacity and its performance in international food markets.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, who chaired the meeting, said greater attention needs to be given to processing, quality control, certification and traceability if Pakistani products are to compete more effectively in premium international markets.
Agriculture remains a major part of Pakistan’s economy, contributing close to one-quarter of GDP and providing employment to a significant share of the country’s workforce. However, much of the sector’s export activity continues to rely on raw or minimally processed commodities.
Livestock Seen as a Major Export Opportunity
Livestock was identified during the meeting as one of the sectors with considerable room for expansion. The sector represents more than 60 percent of Pakistan’s agricultural economy, yet the country has comparatively limited exports of processed and branded meat products.
The government is targeting $700 million in halal meat exports by 2028, with opportunities also being explored in poultry and other livestock-related products.
Participants said improvements in animal health, breeding programs, disease control and meat-processing facilities could help Pakistan develop a stronger position in international halal food markets.
Greater Focus on Processed and Branded Products
The discussions also covered opportunities in several other areas, including premium horticulture, basmati rice, processed foods, dates, edible oils and certified organic products.
Pakistan recently gained improved direct access to European Union markets for certain horticultural products, creating potential opportunities for exporters that can meet the required quality and certification standards.
Organic food was another area discussed at the meeting. Global retail sales of organic products were estimated at about €145 billion in 2024, but Pakistan has yet to establish a strong presence in this segment.
Participants pointed to the absence of comprehensive national organic standards and a domestic certification system as some of the obstacles preventing local producers from accessing the market at a larger scale.
Financing and Compliance Remain Important
Access to export financing was also raised as an important factor for businesses seeking to expand internationally.
The export finance pool operated through EXIM Bank is expected to increase from Rs1 trillion to Rs2 trillion between 2026 and 2028. A separate financing facility for small and medium-sized businesses is also being prepared.
Officials also said a National Compliance Authority is expected to become operational within the coming months. Such measures could help exporters navigate the certification, regulatory and documentation requirements associated with international markets.
For Pakistani exporters, meeting international standards is becoming increasingly important as buyers place greater emphasis on product safety, traceability, certification and consistent quality.
Opportunity for Pakistan’s Export Supply Chain
The government’s push toward value-added agriculture could have wider implications for Pakistan’s logistics and export sectors. Increased exports of processed foods, meat, horticultural products and other finished goods would require reliable transportation, warehousing, packaging, customs handling and international freight services.
Moving toward higher-value exports could therefore create opportunities not only for farmers and food manufacturers, but also for businesses involved in the wider export supply chain.
For Pakistan to capture a larger share of international food markets, industry participants say investment in processing capacity, certification, quality assurance and efficient export logistics will be essential.
The government has set an ambitious goal of reaching $100 billion in total exports by 2035 under its economic transformation program, making agricultural value addition one of the areas that could contribute to achieving that target.