ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN — Pakistan and Iran have agreed to boost bilateral agricultural trade to $3 billion within the next two years, more than doubling the current volume of $1.4 billion.
The decision was announced on Monday in Tehran following the visit of a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain. The two sides signed a joint statement outlining steps to expand cooperation.
Under the agreement, Iran will import most of its rice from Pakistan, creating a steady export market for Pakistani growers. Islamabad also secured assurances from Tehran on resolving hurdles in mango exports, including delays in import permits and foreign exchange allocations.
Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholam Reza Noori said the two countries have complementary strengths that can help meet each other’s needs in different seasons. Iran will export dairy products, dry fruits, fruits and vegetables to Pakistan, while Pakistan is expected to meet 60 percent of Iran’s maize, rice and meat demand.
The ministers also agreed to strengthen cooperation on climate change and food security research, and to set up a Joint Agriculture Committee that will meet every six months to review progress.
To facilitate smoother trade, both sides pledged to speed up customs clearances, develop warehouses and cold chain systems, and upgrade border infrastructure to ensure timely delivery of perishable goods.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to work toward a Free Trade Agreement that would provide a long-term framework for agricultural trade. The next meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission is scheduled to take place in Tehran next month.
