Pakistan’s agriculture sector has demonstrated impressive growth, with agro and food product exports surpassing $8 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24—a 37% increase compared to the previous year. This remarkable surge underscores the sector’s growing significance in the global market.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is pleased to announce the 2nd edition of the International Food and Agriculture Exhibition, FOODAg-2024, scheduled from August 9th to 11th, 2024, at the Expo Center in Karachi. Under the theme “Growing a Sustainable Future,” the exhibition will showcase Pakistan’s substantial contributions to global food security, empowering exporters to display their products, explore joint venture opportunities with international partners, and elevate the qualitative standards of Pakistan’s agricultural produce.
China has been designated the “Guest of Honour Country” for the event. On the second day, an exclusive Pak-China Agro Trade & Investment Conference will highlight the robust trade relationship between the two nations.
The exhibition will feature over 350 companies showcasing Pakistan’s strengths in raw and processed agro and food products. The product lineup includes seafood, cereals, fruits, vegetables, dates, spices, dairy, Halal meat, poultry, edible oil/ghee, salt, confectionery, and processed foods. Notably, the rice sector will have a significant presence, with more than 45 companies participating.
In addition to the main exhibition, a series of sideline activities will emphasize the potential of various sectors. Conferences and seminars will address key issues and opportunities led by experts in their respective fields. Highlights include the Agri Investment Conference, the Pak-China Trade Conference, and a conference on the impacts of climate change. Ten specialized seminars will cover horticulture, seafood, dairy potential, intellectual property, connecting agricultural exports through the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR), value addition, e-commerce opportunities in the agri sector, and international certification standards.
A Global Cuisine Show will also feature chefs from 15 countries who prepare international cuisines using Pakistani ingredients. This event aims to showcase the versatility of Pakistani spices and value-added products, promoting the country as a significant contributor to global culinary arts. A dedicated Chef Table Talk will further highlight Pakistan’s rich array of ingredients, positioning the country as a major food basket for the world.
Major local brands, including Matco, Guard Rice, Himani, Millac, FrieslandCampina, Young’s, EBM, Mughal Rice from Garibsons, Jaza Foods, Fauji Foods, Pie in the Sky, Ambala, EBM, United Kings, Shangrilla, Quice, Vital, Mayfair, Naurus, Ahmed Foods, DairyLand, Mehran Spices, National, Dawn, Hub Salt, and others, will be attending the event. A special Business to Business (B2B) Secretariat has been established to arrange pre-arranged meetings for exhibitors and buyers.
The exhibition will also host over 800 buyers from 75 countries, with a significant presence from China. International brands such as Metro (Germany), Keells (Sri Lanka), Resource Group (Russia), HVA (Netherlands), Beijing Huayuan Group, Metas (Qatar), FTC Group (UK), Nuti Food and Vindapride (Vietnam), and government procurement agencies like Bulog (Indonesia) will participate. Notably, the event will welcome more than 130 buyers from the rice sector.
In selecting buyers, we have focused more on China, ASEAN, CARS and Africa, as these regions constitute 80% of our agro-export. Last year, we exported more than $ 1.2 Billion in rice to the African region. Therefore, we have invited buyers from 30 African countries. Secondly, we had $1.5 Billion export to ASEAN region. Accordingly, we have focused more on Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand in this region. Our 90% of sesame exports are to China, and our three trade missions in China have encouraged relevant sesame buyers to visit this exhibition.
To further promote the agricultural sector, major media outlets such as China Economic Net (China), Metro TV (Indonesia), SalamNews (Turkmenistan), Elmasry Elyoum, Elyoum ala Fabeah newspaper (Egypt), and BTN (Rwanda) have been invited to cover the evenPakistan’sn’s agriculture sector presents many investment opportunities, from modernizing farming practices to expanding agro-processing and export-oriented industries. TDAP offers investment pitching opportunities to all provinces during the exhibition and complimentary booths to display and highlight investment brochures.
In Pakistan’s history, we have never had 350 exhibitors. All six halls are reserved. We have to make additional marquees for placing more exhibitors. However, TDAP is making special arrangements so that even if any company cannot display its products, we will provide space for B2B meetings for them.
In the last edition, $450 million in business was generated. We expect that this exhibition will generate $1 Billion in business.
