Pakistan Set to Export 100,000 Tons of Meat to Tajikistan

Tajikistan has expressed its intention to purchase 100,000 tons of meat from Pakistan, a potential import order worth more than $50 million, marking a major step forward in agricultural trade between the two countries. According to a press release issued by the Information Ministry, the development came during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda. During the meeting, the Tajik ambassador conveyed his country’s strong interest in expanding agricultural imports from Pakistan, especially meat products. Both sides agreed that a formal agreement to begin large-scale meat exports will be signed soon. The minister assured that Pakistan will fully facilitate Tajikistan’s requirements and support its food and livestock needs. The meeting also reviewed the wider trade relationship. Pakistan currently exports rice, citrus, and mangoes to Tajikistan, though volumes remain far below potential. Despite producing 1.8 million tons of mangoes annually, Pakistan exported only 0.7 metric tons to Tajikistan in 2024. Likewise, rice exports stood at only 240 metric tons in 2022, compared with Pakistan’s domestic production of 9.3 million tons. Pakistan’s main import from Tajikistan is ginned cotton. Both sides agreed on improving trade volumes by removing technical and logistical barriers. They also decided to pursue a forward-looking roadmap for agricultural cooperation. This includes expanding trade in fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and staple crops, strengthening research collaboration, establishing pest-free production zones, improving compliance with international standards, and building stakeholder capacity in agricultural best practices. The two countries also agreed on the importance of knowledge sharing, scientific cooperation, and innovation to support long-term agricultural development.