The second International Food and Agriculture Exhibition, FoodAg, concluded on a high note at the Karachi Expo Centre, with business deals exceeding $1.2 billion. The three-day event saw participation from over 800 buyers representing 75 countries, while 330 exporters showcased around 500 quality products.
The exhibition drew significant attention from international chain stores, buyers, and multinational companies. The largest contingent of buyers came from China, with over 150 representatives participating.
The event facilitated approximately 7,000 business-to-business meetings, resulting in the finalization of deals worth $1.2 billion. Additionally, over 36 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed, primarily focusing on sectors such as rice, processed food, seafood, kinnow, potato, lentils, chickpeas, mangoes, confectionery, meat, food and beverages, spices, cereals, and oil seeds. Countries involved in these deals included China, Malaysia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Gambia, and France.
Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Zubair Motiwalla, highlighted that the estimated $1.2 billion in export orders aligns with the export targets set by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his inaugural address at the FoodAg event. Motiwalla also announced the upcoming FoodAg Manufacturing event scheduled for December in Lahore, aimed at boosting value addition and mechanized farming. He expressed confidence that the recent advancements in the agriculture sector would usher in the next green revolution in Pakistan.
A press release from the Ministry of Commerce further detailed the success of the event, noting that $35 million worth of export contracts were signed between Pakistani and Chinese companies in the seafood sector. In addition to the numerous MoUs, significant investment interests were expressed by various companies, including HVA (dairy investment), Bolynta (potato seeds from the Netherlands), Huiyuan Beverages and Food Group (China), and METAS (Qatar).
Notably, a Malaysian delegation visited the Fish Harbour and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association’s Sindh office, while delegates from Egypt, Tajikistan, and Malaysia visited Tata Foods and relevant departments to finalize export orders. Japanese and Malaysian representatives visited Rehmate Shereen, while delegates from Jordan and Egypt engaged with Organic Meat. Additionally, delegates from Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay visited KK Rice Mill to explore further business opportunities.
Adding to the event’s appeal, the TDAP organized a Global Cuisine show, where culinary artists from around the world showcased their skills by preparing exceptional dishes using Pakistani ingredients, further enhancing the event’s significance.
