LAHORE:
The convening of the Chamber of Commerce of Pakistan and the Regional Food Committee of the Industry, Shahid Imran, said Wednesday that Saudi entrepreneurs are showing great interest in forging joint companies with Pakistani partners in the food sector, especially in the fast -growing snack segment.
He leads a Pakistani delegation that currently travels Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Imran said that during recent meetings, both parties emphasized immense potential and the need to present innovative and high quality products to meet the growing demand.
The Pakistan delegation presented the country’s strengths in traditional snacks, including Nimco, roasted chickpeas and spicy mixtures, along with modern products such as flavored chips, cookies, cookies and energy bars. The delegation highlighted how these offers align well with the tastes of consumers evolved in Saudi Arabia. Imran said that Saudi investors want co-marsing, technology transfer and halal certification. They know that Pakistani snacks are affordable, tasty and experienced with experience.
The interest occurs in the midst of robust growth in the widest landscape of food and beverages of Saudi Arabia (F&B). According to Statista, a German data platform, it is projected that the general food market in Saudi Arabia will reach around $ 57.4 billion in 2025, growing approximately 4% per year in the next five years. The largest segment will be bread and cereal products, with a projected market volume of $ 10.46 billion in 2025.
This increase is driven by rapid urbanization, a youth population and increasingly rich, and the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasizes tourism, hospitality and entertainment economy. The Saudi authorities aim to attract millions of tourists at the end of the decade, feeding the demand for convenience foods, fast service restaurants and packaged snacks.
Pakistani exporters believe that their products can align with these trends while offering value. “We can offer articles that meet traditional tastes and modern health trends, such as baked alternatives, organic bars and low -fat chips,” said Ahmed Rauf, a food exporter. He added that joint companies could help establish processing units, improve packaging and obtain halal and other certifications to comply with the Saudi regulatory standards and consumer expectations.
Pakistan food exports, according to the Pakistan Statistics Office (PBS), are currently at $ 7,116 billion in fiscal year 2015. Although this is a notable part of general exports, refrigeries and the allied categories of the country contribute very little. On the contrary, Saudi Arabia is largely based on food imports due to agricultural limitations and water scarcity, which represents a substantial portion of domestic demand. These factors make the kingdom an attractive market for Pakistanis snacks.
Some economists warn that obtaining a fair part in the food and beverage market of Saudi Arabia will not be easy. “While Pakistan food exports cross $ 7 billion annually, the proportion of processed snacks and allied products remains very modest,” said Dr. Kamran Siddiqui, an economist. “This means that Pakistani exporters will face a uphill task to carve space in the highly competitive snack market of Saudi Arabia, which is already dominated by global giants. To succeed, they will need a significant investment in the brand, packaging, quality certifications and marketing campaigns adapted to Gulf consumers. Without these steps, penetrating such a dynamic and brand They will remain extremely challenging, “he added.
Despite the challenges, Pakistani exporters remain cautiously optimistic about incursions into the Saudi market. Industry leaders admit that competing with multinational sandwiches marks will not be easy, but argue that Pakistan’s strength lies in the affordability, authenticity and halal safety, which resonates strongly with Gulf consumers.
“This is not just about trade numbers; it is about bule-term partnerships that stregthen both economies. This model of cooperation coud pave the way for similar ventures in other food and bevenge categories such as dairy, Beverages, and ProcessSed Meats-Expanding The Horizons of Bilateral Trade.
