Export to KSA: Fruit industry highlights potentials, challenges

Pakistan's value-added fruit industry has outlined obstacles and possible fixes for boosting shipments to Saudi Arabia after the tripartite defence accord known as the Makkah Pact. Business Recorder reported that a briefing was given to Saudi Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley in the presence of Pakistani federal ministers. Waheed Ahmed, patron-in-chief of the All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Association, said the sector faces steep duties, few direct B2B linkages and weak acceptance of global certificates in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia's total imports of fruit and vegetable concentrates were about USD 448 million in 2025, while Pakistan's shipments to the kingdom totalled just USD 525,000, leaving it with a share below 0.15 percent of that market. In 2025, Pakistani firms shipped 10,418 tons of fruit concentrates valued at USD 28 million, and buyers such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever and Döhler have already approved local processors. Waheed singled out Chaunsa mango pulp, with a Brix level of about 22±1, as a cost-efficient input for Saudi beverage makers.

The industry proposes preferential tariffs of 5 to 10 percent on processed fruit concentrates and government-led matchmaking with Saudi buyers. Processors say they could supply 6,000 tons within three months, 18,000 tons within a year and potentially 55,000 tons within three years with added investment. The roadmap starts with buyer engagement and Saudi Food and Drug Authority approvals, followed by long-term business partnerships.