Browse Data and Analysis

U.S. exports of consumer-oriented food products to Saudi Arabia increased 23 percent over 2021 to a record $656 million mainly due to the continued expansion in online shopping platforms.

Sugar production in 2023/24 is forecast at 7.05 million tons, three percent above the 2022/23 estimate. The marginal increase is due to expectations for a recovery in cane area harvested compared to the flood-damaged 2022/23 crop.

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world and home to a growing food manufacturing and processing sector. Total investments in the sector are projected to reach $70 billion in 2030, an increase of approximately 59% over total investments in 2016.

As of March 2023, Pakistani authorities still ban genetically engineered (GE) oilseed imports. While they have made some progress in developing a system to allow for GE oilseed imports, uncertainty regarding when that system will be operative clouds the outlook for oilseed imports.

Despite a slight reduction in planted area, 2023/2024 wheat production is forecast to reach 27.0 million tons, two percent higher than last year. With consumption growth expected to outstrip the increase in production, 2023/24 wheat imports are forecast to reach 2.6 million tons.

Recent available data indicates that Saudi Arabia imported approximately 2.7 million metric tons (MMT) of barley in the first six months of MY 2022/23 (July – December 2022), an increase of approximately 11% compared to the same period last year (2.46 MMT).

Cotton production is forecast to rebound 36 percent to 5.3 million bales in 2023/24. After the flood damaged 2022/23 crop, yields should return to trend, while better returns from competing crops will limit area expansion.

Due to the recent ban on genetically engineered (GE) commodity imports, the 2022/23 soybean import forecast is reduced from 2.5 to 1.2 million tons. With the lower expected soybean imports, 2022/23 crush and soybean meal output is reduced accordingly.

The 2022/23 cotton import forecast is reduced from 5 to 4.5 million bales due to the problems importers are facing in financing imports. Since December 2022, Pakistan’s shortage of dollars has hindered cotton importers’ ability to fulfill payment...

Pakistan is the 25th largest export market for U.S. food and agricultural-related products, with U.S. exports surpassing $1.3 billion in 2021. The top U.S. exports to Pakistan were cotton, soybeans, pulses, tree nuts, dairy products, planting seeds, dairy cattle, and forestry products.

The report outlines regulatory requirements and import procedures for food and agricultural imports into Pakistan. As compared to the last report submitted in December 2021, this report contains additions to food laws and labelling requirement...

This report outlines Pakistan’s requirements for import permits and export certificates for various food products for human and animal consumption. It also provides a list of the Pakistani government agencies involved in the entry of imported food...