Pakistan and Iran have reached several landmark agreements aimed at deepening agricultural cooperation and boosting bilateral trade, marking the start of a new era in their economic relationship. The agreements were finalized during a high-level ministerial meeting in Tehran, where Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, led the Pakistani delegation.
At the meeting, which was co-chaired by Iran’s Minister of Agriculture, Gholam Reza Nowrozi, officials from both countries’ key ministries, research institutes, and trade authorities were present. Rana Tanveer Hussain successfully persuaded Iran to source the majority of its rice imports from Pakistan, opening a stable and long-term export market for Pakistani rice producers. In addition to official government purchases, private sector imports in Iran will also now rely more heavily on Pakistani rice.
In response to longstanding issues faced by Pakistani fruit exporters, the minister secured solid assurances from the Iranian side to resolve obstacles hampering mango exports, particularly regarding import permits and foreign exchange availability. These measures are expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s mango exports to Iran.
Livestock and meat exports were another focus of the discussions. Iran agreed to import about 60 percent of its meat from Pakistan, providing a substantial opportunity for Pakistani producers. The two sides also reached consensus on large-scale imports of Pakistani maize, with Iran committing to quickly resolve any technical and operational hurdles related to this trade.
Recognizing the importance of scientific collaboration in agriculture, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and its Iranian counterparts agreed to strengthen joint research in areas including crop improvement, livestock breeding, water management, and agricultural innovation aimed at supporting farmers.
To further streamline agricultural trade, both countries agreed to expedite customs clearance processes, enhance warehousing and cold chain facilities, and upgrade border infrastructure to ensure perishable goods reach markets swiftly and in good quality. Progress was also made towards establishing a Free Trade Agreement, providing a long-term framework for expanding agricultural trade.
A joint committee on agricultural cooperation has been established to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of these historic decisions. The committee will meet every six months to review progress, address emerging issues, and sustain momentum in bilateral cooperation.
Concluding the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain expressed gratitude to the Iranian government for its constructive approach and warm hospitality, highlighting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of stronger trade relations with neighboring countries. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to becoming a dependable partner for food security and agricultural development and invited Minister Nowrozi to visit Pakistan to further cement these advances.
The session concluded with both countries signing a joint declaration, marking their resolve to implement today’s decisions and usher in a new chapter of Pakistan-Iran agricultural and trade partnership.
