Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, held a productive bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, H.E. Yusuf Sharifzoda, in Islamabad today. The Minister welcomed the Ambassador and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening agricultural and food-security cooperation with Tajikistan, noting that Pakistan possesses significant potential to export high-quality agro-commodities, livestock products, and value-added food items to regional partners. He emphasized the importance of strengthening mutually beneficial trade ties to support both countries’ food systems and enhance regional economic integration.
During the meeting, Ambassador Yusuf Sharifzoda expressed Tajikistan’s strong interest in expanding agricultural imports from Pakistan, with a particular focus on meat products. He conveyed Tajikistan’s intention to purchase 100,000 tons of meat from Pakistan—an import valued at over USD 50 million. This development marks a major breakthrough in bilateral trade, and both sides agreed that a formal agreement for the commencement of large-scale meat exports will be signed soon. The Minister assured full facilitation in fulfilling Tajikistan’s requirements and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to support Tajikistan’s food and livestock needs.
The Ambassador also extended an invitation to the Minister to attend the Cultural Week of Tajikistan, being celebrated by the Tajik government from 18th December, highlighting the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between the two nations. The Minister appreciated the gesture and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation at all levels, including cultural and academic exchanges.
Pakistan and Tajikistan have long enjoyed friendly relations with significant potential for collaboration in agricultural development, research, and trade. Tajikistan is a highly agrarian country with cotton and wheat as primary cash crops, alongside major fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, melons, apricots, pears, plums, apples, cherries, pomegranates, figs, and nuts. Both sides acknowledged the vast opportunities for cooperation in horticulture, research, pest management, and crop improvement.
The meeting reviewed the current trade scenario, noting that Pakistan exports rice, citrus, and mango to Tajikistan, though the volume remains below potential. Despite producing 1.8 million tons of mangoes annually, Pakistan exported only 0.7 metric tons to Tajikistan in 2024. Similarly, Pakistan’s rice exports to Tajikistan remain minimal at just 240 metric tons in 2022 compared to its annual production of 9.3 million tons. Pakistan’s major import from Tajikistan is ginned cotton. Both sides agreed on the need to enhance trade volumes and reduce technical and logistical barriers.
Both sides agreed to pursue a forward-looking roadmap for agricultural cooperation, including expanding trade in fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and staple crops; strengthening collaboration in research and development; enhancing compliance with international standards; establishing pest-free production zones; and building capacity of relevant stakeholders on phytosanitary and agricultural best practices. They also agreed on the importance of exchanging scientific information and promoting innovation to drive sustainable agricultural development.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing strong commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation. The anticipated agreement on 100,000 tons of meat export stands as a milestone in Pakistan-Tajikistan trade relations, reinforcing the shared vision of stronger economic, cultural, and agricultural ties between the two brotherly countries.
