Pakistan, Malaysia seek bigger rice trade and halal food market access

Pakistan and Malaysia have reached an understanding to deepen collaboration on rice shipments, halal accreditation and farm supply networks, Mettis Global reported. The accord followed a run of senior-level talks in Kuala Lumpur, which Islamabad hopes will open wider access to Malaysia's food market. Officials from Pakistan's food security and research and commerce ministries, along with the country's envoy in Malaysia, took part, per an official statement.

A central session involved BERNAS, with its group chief executive and management team, where the focus was on lifting Pakistani rice exports while meeting the company's quality benchmarks. Separately, talks with Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development on halal certification standards reviewed progress under a memorandum signed between JAKIM and the Pakistan Halal Authority. The parties want to exchange expertise and streamline certification to ease trade in halal-certified farm and food goods.

A further meeting with Malaysia's agriculture ministry secretary general covered rice, meat, poultry, fisheries, aquaculture, animal vaccines, biosecurity and halal gelatin. Both sides agreed to set up a formal engagement mechanism, starting with a joint virtual meeting planned for November 2026. Mettis Global noted that Pakistan is pursuing wider farm exports while Malaysia is a significant food market and halal trade hub.