Pakistan has made it to the list of top 10 exporters of grain and grain products to China in 2022, with shipments valued at $456 million, marking a 14.12% year-on-year growth, as reported in the 2023 China Import Food Report. This information was unveiled during the China Import Food Summit held at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
China has become a crucial market for Pakistani exporters, and the growth in grain exports is notable. One Pakistani sesame and rice dealer, Muhammad Omair, expressed his amazement at China’s vibrant consumption market during his visit. His company alone has exported over 150 containers of sesame to China in the current year, and he aims to further increase these exports by participating in the CIIE.
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Omair emphasized that factors like cost-effective freight, competitive pricing, and high-quality products under the bilateral free trade agreement have been key drivers of Pakistan’s grain export success. He also noted that the high oil content in sesame has made it increasingly popular among Chinese oil extraction companies.
In the first three quarters of the current year, Pakistan exported sesame worth $56.446 million to China, which represents a 41% growth compared to the same period in 2022, according to statistics from China’s General Administration of Customs (CGAC). Additionally, there has been a 20% increase in China’s import of broken rice from Pakistan, as reported by CGAC.
The China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides valuable opportunities for Pakistani and other international businesses to tap into the vast and open Chinese market, particularly as it is being held offline and has continued despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. This event serves as a platform for matchmaking and fostering trade relationships between different countries.
