Pakistan eyes $1bn fruit, vegetable export industry within 3 years

Pakistan could build a $1bn annual export industry in fruits, vegetables and value-added products within two to three years, according to Rai Omar, chief financial officer of SE Fruits & Vegetables Limited, as reported by Mettis Global. He tied that goal to higher conversion of produce into exports, lower post-harvest waste, and stronger processing, cold-chain and market access facilities. The company, which is preparing a public offering on the PSX, has been exporting for close to three decades and serves over 22 overseas markets.

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics figures show fresh fruit and vegetable exports of about $471m in FY2026, including $308m of fruit and $163m of vegetables. Rai argued the $1bn goal is achievable given the farm base and global demand. The $1bn figure is also lower than a December 2025 roadmap from the PFVA and TDAP, which set a goal of raising such shipments to $2bn in three years, starting from about $700m.

The firm reviewed demand for mangoes, kinnow and potatoes in 23 countries where it has sold produce or identified openings. It targets shipments of 30,327 tonnes for FY2027 and 35,953 tonnes for FY2028, compared with 5,115 tonnes in FY2026. Enquiries and letters of intent from a handful of buyers total 65,150 tonnes, which is over twice the planned FY2027 volume. Its kinnow processing platform ran at about 32% utilisation, which is expected to rise to roughly 59% by FY2027.