“Sales of dried fruits and vegetables to the UAE rose two-fold and four-fold to $ 9.7 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The country exported $5.9 million worth of potatoes to the Emirates last year – an eight-fold increase on 2012 figures, while sales of Pakistani Fresh and frozen meat have crossed $ 50 million” observed Dr. Saeed Qadir, Commercial Counsellor, Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai and Northern Emirates. 

 

He said that onions, garlic and leeks, fresh or chilled and ginger have also witnessed 300 percent export growth over the past three years. Citrus fruit, fresh or dried has peaked its exports of over $ 22 million- an increase of more than 168 percent in the same period. With sales of herbs more than doubling over the same period to US $4.7 million, Pakistani exporters also grew sales of concentrated milk and cream, vegetable oils and ice-cream from a standing start in 2012 to double or triple figure dollars last year.

 

Dr. Saeed Qadir stated that Pakistan has boosted sales of its traditional agricultural products while simultaneously expanding its reach into new product areas such as processed meat and poultry products, tea, concentrated milk and cream, certain fruits and vegetables, spices, herbs and confectioneries. 

 

According to him, rice remains Pakistan’s leading food export to the UAE with TADP figures showing that Pakistani rice sales to the Emirates have jumped 11 fold to $207.8 million over the last two years. Meat and processed frozen food is another important growth sector for Pakistani exports crossing $ 100 million mark in period of last three years.

 

Conversely, data released by global macroeconomic research firm, BMI International, show Pakistan remains a buoyant market for consumer sales and food and beverage investment. The firm is forecasting a 9.9 percent per capita compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in food consumption until 2019, a 3.2 percent per capita CAGR growth in domestic soft drinks sales and 9.5 percent per capital CAGR in mass grocery retail sales.

 

“There’s enormous business opportunities emerging in Pakistan for both food and beverage imports and exports, as evidenced recently by international investment in manufacturing plans in Karachi, Multan and Islamabad,” explained Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “Given its strong historical background in Halal production techniques, Pakistan could also benefit from the upsurge in demand for Halal-certified food and beverage products.”

 

According to a recent report by Pakistan’s State Bank, the country’s fast emerging food and beverage industry has grabbed the highest share of bank investment capital. The sector was the top borrower from banks last year, registering double that of a textile sector which has long been the backbone of the country’s export economy. 

 

Javed Jalil Khattak, Consul General, Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai said that Pakistan’s revitalised food and beverage agricultural industry is readying for a major export push at Gulfood 2016 – the 21st edition of the world’s largest annual food trade platform, which returns to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 21-25 February.

 

More than 90 Pakistani companies are due to take part in a Gulfood 2016 across 1,000-square metre, a huge jump from the country’s 90-square presence in 2008. The increase reflects the emergence of a major exporting sector that is now challenging textiles as Pakistan’s main foreign exchange earner with worldwide sales topping US $5 billion last year. 

 

He said that organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Pakistan Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai, the Pakistan pavilion is only one area of the country’s Gulfood showing. The US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai will host a Pakistani Meat Branding dinner on 23rd February 2016 at the Consul General’s residence in Dubai, while the former has also set-up a business-to-business ‘Trade Facilitation Center’ for matchmaking meetings between Pakistani agro-exporters and foreign buyers. 

 

“Pakistani exhibitors will be looking to source new buyers for a wide range of Pakistani food and agro sector products including fresh and frozen foods, rice, fruits and vegetables, sauces, nuts, sweets, confectionery and tea,” said Javed Jalil Khattak. “Buyers can leverage Pakistan’s cost-competitiveness, lower transport costs and delivery time, and the quality, freshness, taste and aroma of our diverse produce.”